Canadiens seek continued improvement after adding Newhook to young core

After the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is examining where each team stands in preparation for the 2023-24 regular season, which starts Oct. 10. Today, the Montreal Canadiens:

2022-23 season: 31-45-6, eighth in Atlantic Division; did not qualify for Stanley Cup Playoffs

Key arrival

Alex Newhook, F: The 22-year-old was acquired in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche on June 27 and signed a four-year contract July 11. Newhook, who won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022, can play center or wing and will provide options up front. He had 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 82 regular-season games last season, and one assist in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Key departures

Joel Edmundson, D: Traded to the Washington Capitals on July 1, Edmundson had 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 61 games. A Stanley Cup champion with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, he played a key role in Montreal's run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021. … Jonathan Drouin, F: Signed a one-year contract with the Avalanche on July 1. He had 29 points (two goals, 27 assists) in 58 games in his sixth season with the Canadiens. … Alex Belzile, F:Signed a two-year contract with the New York Rangers on July 1. He had 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 31 games, and 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists) in 31 games with Laval of the American Hockey League. … Denis Gurianov, F: Signed a one-year contract with the Nashville Predators on July 11. He had eight points (five goals, three assists) in 23 games with Montreal after he was acquired in a trade with the Dallas Stars on Feb. 26. … Chris Tierney, F: Signed a one-year contract with the New Jersey Devils on July 14. He had 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 36 games, including seven points (one goal, six assists) in 23 games with the Canadiens after being claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers on Feb. 23.

On the cusp

Rafael Harvey-Pinard, F: The 24-year-old will look to establish himself and earn a full-time role after getting a good look last season, when the Canadiens were ravaged by injuries. He had 20 points (14 goals, six assists) in 34 games, including four power-play goals and one short-handed, and earned time on the top line with Nick Suzuki. He began last season in the AHL and had 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists) in 40 regular-season games with Laval, and no points in two playoff games. … Justin Barron, D: The 21-year-old is well-positioned to seize a regular role as one of four right-handed shot options at defenseman along with David Savard, Johnathan Kovacevic and Chris Wideman. Barron had 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 39 games last season. He began last season with Laval and had 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 25 games. … Video: Newhook on joining the Habs and signing an extension, F: The 23-year-old had 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 37 games last season. He had 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 39 regular-season games with Laval, then had no points in two playoff games. … Sean Farrell, F: The 21-year-old had one goal in six games after having 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) in 34 games in his final season with Harvard. Farrell faces the same uphill fight to earn a spot as Ylonen, who has more professional experience, and is likely to start the season with Laval.

What they still need

The Canadiens could use more NHL experience at defenseman after the Edmundson trade but are unlikely to make any substantial moves in that direction with so many young players at the position battling to claim ice time. Expect more clarity up front during the coming months because there are too many forwards on the roster despite the departures of Drouin, Gurianov and Belzile.

They said it

"I think with the roster that we have, we're in a position to improve on what we did last year. And where that takes us, hopefully we're a lot healthier than we were last year and we'll see what happens." -- general manager Kent Hughes

Fantasy focus

The Canadiens went bold by selecting forward Juraj Slafkovsky with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, but his impact was put on hold last season when he was limited to 39 games because of injury. Slafkovsky is a fantasy breakout candidate who could far exceed his average draft position if he earns top-six usage and should form a strong young core with forwards Harvey-Pinard (24), Suzuki (23), Cole Caufield (22) and Kirby Dach (22) in keeper and dynasty leagues. -- Pete Jensen

Projected lineup

Sean Monahan -- Nick Suzuki -- Cole Caufield

Alex Newhook -- Kirby Dach -- Josh Anderson

Mike Hoffman -- Christian Dvorak -- Brendan Gallagher

Juraj Slafkovsky -- Jake Evans -- Joel Armia

Mike Matheson -- Justin Barron

Kaiden Guhle -- David Savard

Arber Xhekaj -- Jordan Harris

Jake Allen

Sam Montembeault