Making the cut
The Canadiens likely will start the season with Phillip Danault, Suzuki and Kotkaniemi at center, leaving Jake Evans and Ryan Poehling to compete for a spot on the fourth line. Poehling scored two points (one goal, one assist) in 27 games last season but the 21-year-old missed time because of a torn labrum in his shoulder and a concussion, and did not play in the postseason. Evans played 13 regular-season games and the 24-year-old had one assist in six playoff games.
Perry's production has declined since he scored 62 points (34 goals, 28 assists) for the Anaheim Ducks in 2015-16, but the 35-year-old forward helped the Dallas Stars reach the 2020 Stanley Cup Final with nine points (five goals, four assists) in 27 postseason games and could replace Artturi Lehkonen on the fourth line. Frolik, a 32-year-old wing, joins his sixth NHL team and is insurance critical in a condensed season.
Most intriguing addition
Anderson was acquired by the Canadiens in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 6 for forward Max Domi and a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, and agreed to a seven-year contract two days later. It's a big investment in a 26-year-old who had surgery for a posterior labral tear of his left shoulder March 2. The injury limited Anderson to 26 games last season, but in 2018-19 he set NHL career highs in goals (27), assists (20) and points (47) in 82 games. Anderson should be motivated to show he's healthy and validate his contract.
Biggest potential surprise
Poehling and Evans have built their games to compete in the NHL full-time. Poehling scored 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 36 AHL games last season; Evans scored 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 51 games in his second season with Laval and signed a two-year contract Sept. 23. One or both could take advantage of the opportunity.
Ready to break through
Drouin was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning with the No. 3 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft and is entering his fourth season with the Canadiens after they acquired him in a trade with the Lightning for defenseman Mikhail Sergachev on June 15, 2017. The 25-year-old showed signs of a breakthrough last season by scoring 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in his first 19 games before wrist surgery kept him out three months. Playing on the wing with Suzuki or Kotkaniemi could help Drouin become the player the Canadiens still have high hopes for.