Habs are Bouncing Between the Ceiling and the Floor

Among the gems that Coach Martin St. Louis has shared in his Yoda-like press conferences—often with the help of Chantal Machabee when searching for the right words in French—is his belief in identifying both the ceiling and the floor of his players’ potential. While reaching for the ceiling is often a long-term projection and a test of patience, many observers anticipated that this team’s floor might reveal itself sooner as the rebuild takes shape. Now, the pressing question becomes: what kind of culture will emerge as this young team matures?

There is no easy answer to that, right?

The significance of this question is clear when you consider teams like the Sabres and the Leafs. Establishing a strong foundation is crucial.

However, the Canadiens stumbled in the early days of the 2024-2025 season. Last year, it took over half the season before blowout losses started to surface. This season, unfortunately, the struggles came early. A combination of porous goaltending and inconsistent defence has tested the patience of fans and pundits alike, highlighted by tough losses like those to the Leafs earlier this month.

We need to come to terms with some realities about this team. Yes, St. Louis is dealing with multiple reclamation projects and untapped potential. Josh Anderson, for example, is transitioning into a defensive power play specialist, a departure from the mercurial power forward role he was expected to play. Brendan Gallagher has been rediscovering his scoring touch around the net but still lacks confidence in the defensive zone. Christian Dvorak’s play has been inconsistent, and, overall, the team has shown more floor than ceiling so far. A lot more floor.

Too much floor.

So, where do we go from here?

Coach St. Louis continues to give inspiring quotes, but the mood in the locker room is getting tense. About 75% of the team is struggling to match the consistency of players like Cole Caufield, one of the league’s leading goalscorers, Nick Suzuki, and rookie defenceman Lane Hutson. In this writer’s humble opinion, that’s actually a positive sign. If over half the team is still looking to their coach for direction and hasn’t fully hit their stride, it suggests that with time and growth, this squad will improve. As players find their answers, we could see a more consistent and cohesive team by the 40-game mark. The answers will come.

Patrik Laine anyone?

Good Bagels: Despite the general critique of Arber Xhekaj, I’ll echo Katt Williams on Kanye West: “I don’t know what we want from him.” Xhekaj, the once training camp invite who is now a feared league enforcer, has proven he can hold a full-time defensive spot. But it’s time for the coaching staff to clarify their expectations. He can shoot and hit, though his game-reading skills still need work. A developmental template, akin to Denis Gauthier, could help him become a more reliable asset. Last season showed he’s too good for the AHL. With the right guidance, Xhekaj could be a major payoff. Don’t believe it? Reports indicate that lots of teams would jump at the chance if he were made available.

Green Bagels: Kirby Dach’s early-season form is concerning despite his eight points in 19 games. The question isn’t about his potential to score but rather if he can adapt to the league’s demands for speed and creativity. Dach’s role in the Canadiens’ long-term plans may hinge on his ability to evolve as the league evolves. I’ll go even further … His future in the NHL may depend on it.