Over the past decade, the Montreal Canadiens have never been known as a young team with a lot of potential within its organization.
On the contrary, the CH often relied on a team of good veterans surrounded by perhaps three or four youngsters, but nothing more.
It was very rare for a young prospect to make it to the NHL, and for his development to go as smoothly as hoped.
In general, we were more often disappointed by the turn of events with a prospect than anything else.
However, things seem to have changed, or at least we’re keeping our fingers crossed.
Over the past few years, and especially recently, the Tricolore has been stocking up on excellent youngsters aged 23 and under.
So, for the first time in a long time, the CH has a panoply of young players with NHL potential who will all develop at the same time, whether with the Bleu Blanc Rouge or in Laval with the Rocket.
To be even more precise, as Marco D’Amico reported yesterday, 25 of the 50 contracts with the Habs belong to players aged 23 and under.
The #GoHabsGo are getting a significant influx of youth this season, a breath of fresh air that is likely to make the on-ice product more exciting in Montreal, but also in Laval.https://t.co/c2x6deO1f9
– Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) August 26, 2023
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That’s half of the team’s contracts representing young players with a future for the club.
That’s a lot.
These youngsters, aged 23 and under, are generally known to us, and will continue to develop next season, whether in the NHL or the AHL.
This leaves the CH with the luxury of having to find a way to give all these youngsters the chance to develop at the same time.
It’s a big task that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have set themselves, but it’s one they’re confident in.
They’re confident that this weighty task will pay off for the team in the end.
Of course, no one expects all 25 of these 23-and-under players to reach their potential and become NHL players – quite the contrary.
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But having so many young players on the roster at the same time makes things very exciting for CH fans to follow, and especially encouraging for the future.
It’s not for nothing that Habs fans are generally excited about the upcoming season, despite the fact that the team is expected to lose more games than it wins and miss the playoffs for the third season in a row.
People are looking forward to seeing the young players develop and perform with the team, whether in Montreal or Laval.
Fans will be able to follow two young teams made up of players with great potential, something that hasn’t happened for a long time in Montreal.
We were used to two veteran teams where youngsters could hardly make their mark, which made things rather unexciting.
What people want to see are young players.
In short, there’s going to be some great in-house competition this year in both Montreal and Laval, as all the youngsters want to show that they’re progressing and that they deserve their place in the Montreal Canadiens project.
In a gust
– Montreal CF snatch three very important late goals.
👏👏👏#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/x1UnhKhd49
– CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) August 27, 2023
– Here’s the goal.
George Campbell’s very important first goal! +3 📈
What a time to notch your first goal 😤 pic.twitter.com/QKVFFw2ObZ
– CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) August 27, 2023
– Incredible.
Jonathan Sirois equals the Club record set by Evan Bush in 2018 with a 10th shutout in 2023 📈
Sirois equals a club record for clean sheets in one season set by @ebushel1 👊#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/FI6cdz2tPF
– CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) August 27, 2023
– Huge win for Canada.
Canada shows no mercy to Lebanon at FIBA World https://t.co/FUAZ3CjeWA
– Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) August 27, 2023
– A great record.
4️⃣4️⃣ assists 🤑
Canada set the record for most assists in a single game at the FIBA Basketball World Cup since data was officially recorded from 1994.#FIBAWC x #WinForCanada 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/PdYYk6uHut
– FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 27, 2023