For us Habs, I believe our key is going to be our depth. We will never have a McDavid or Draisatl or Matthews or MacKinnon.
What we have is a large group of players that can all elevate their game to the next level.
Can Slaf become a Rantanen? or even better?
Can Suzuki elevate his play to a Bergeron level? Even 90% of what Bergeron was.
Can Caufield pot us 40 goals...for at least a few years?
What exactly is Kirby? We were teased with an elite puck possession monster for small portions of the season a couple of years ago. Injuries have made us forget what his ceiling could be.
What is Hutson? Is he the next coming of Quinn Hughes? Cale Makar? or Victor Mete?
Guhle....Reinbacher....Mailloux.....each of these guys has top pair potential.
A lot of unknowns. Like I said, I want to add an elite scoring threat to that forward group, as I am slightly more confident in the d corps. But, if we miss out on Demidov.....or Lindstrom.....I am happy to add even more to that D corp.
I think our rebuild is tracking for us to be like the Canes. Canes have not won but they are a top 10 contender. Habs may not get to top 5 contender status. Hard to guess at that part.
* Suzuki is good. Ideally, we want someone just as good in our top 2C.
* Dach is that guy we need to break out. Was awesome in camp last year and on the cusp of showing us how dominate he can be. I think he is only going to get stronger as he approaches that critical 25-30 age range.
* Slaf has shown he has top 6F from what I have seen last year. Not pumping him to top line just yet. Need to see another season and yes, we all like his 2nd half last year. It was impressive but he was playing full time with Suzuki. I personally want to see him do it with Dach and if he does, I'm a believer.
* Caufield will be Caufield. What you see is what you get. He's going to have flashes of brilliance and moments of fading in shadows. Work on getting those shoulders and arms stronger because those big boys are going to crunch him into the boards at times.
* With Roy, it's early yet. Is he a true top 6F or a middle 6F type. I think he has top 6F in him but this coming season is a big one for him.
* Newhook is a middle 6F and has to show me more to be pushed to top 6F. I like his work ethic and energy. I would not have plans to place him at center full time. He's my winger who can play center if we get into injury issues.
* Guhle is a strong top 4D and on the cusp of top paring. He's our best proven young D right now.
* Reinbacher should round out into a very good top 4D. Top pairing? Maybe, but it's early and we need 2 more seasons before we have a better picture.
* Mailloux and Xhekaj are underrated. So is Barron. I think all 3 of these guys will be great once they are fully matured. Mailloux is one to watch because he had a great AHL season last year.
* Hutson is our wild card. He's got to get stronger in upper body and lower body IMO. Might have shoulder issues like Caufield.
* So many others to talk about but they are middle to bottom of the line-up. Depth will not be an issue for the Habs.