Making the cut
The already muddled situation at defensemen isn't much clearer after the Canadiens traded Jeff Petry to the Pittsburgh Penguins and Alexander Romanov to the New York Islanders. They have David Savard (673 NHL games), Mike Matheson (417) and Joel Edmundson (416), and the remaining three spots should be there for the taking.
Kaiden Guhle
had 40 points (seven goals, 33 assists) in 42 games for Prince Albert and Edmonton of the Western Hockey League last season, and the 20-year-old will get a long look at training camp. So will fellow 20-year-old Justin Barron after he had 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 43 games for Colorado of the American Hockey League.
Most intriguing addition
Sean Monahan is a three-time 30-goal scorer and has 462 points (212 goals, 250 assists) in 656 NHL games, all with the Calgary Flames. The 27-year-old forward, acquired in a trade Aug. 18, has played through injuries in recent seasons but said he feels like a kid again after having hip surgery. If he finds a way to resemble the effective player he was earlier in his career, the Canadiens' gamble on him would have paid off. Monahan has had surgery on each in the past two years, the latest in April, but hopes to be ready for the season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Bell Centre on Oct. 12.
Biggest potential surprise
Kirby Dach, who struggled at times during his first three NHL seasons and had 59 points (19 goals, 40 assists) in 152 games for the Chicago Blackhawks, is looking to take a significant step forward with the change of scenery after being acquired in a trade July 7. The Canadiens think they can help boost the production of the No. 3 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and plan to give the 21-year-old center plenty of ice time, including a role on the power play. Dach is a key cog in Montreal's rebuild and will be provided every opportunity to become one of its offensive staples.
Ready to break through
There was a buzz through Bell Centre at the 2022 NHL Draft when forward Juraj Slafkovsky was chosen with the No. 1 pick. Shane Wright, a forward with Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League, was the popular candidate to be the top pick but Montreal opted for Slafkovsky's unique combination of skill and swagger. At 6-foot-3, 218 pounds, the 18-year-old is a teenager in a man's body and could start the season in the NHL with a good training camp.
Fantasy sleeper
Dach, C/RW (fantasy average draft position: 176.0) --He played in mostly the bottom six under multiple coaches for Chicago but is a fantasy breakout candidate who could play on the second line for Montreal with at least one valuable wing in Cole Caufield, Brendan Gallagher, Josh Anderson and/or Slafkovsky. -- Anna Dua
