:MON-NHL: Background:
The Habs have been competitive since inception but have never really achieved great success in their 3 years of existence. The team's performance over the 3 years in Franchise NHL
* 2010-11 ranked 24th
* 2011-12 ranked 18th (under new ownership mainly under Tarheels55)
* 2012-13 ranked 19th (just out of the playoffs, yet again under a new owner Tyler ... Profsl staffer, ex-Beantown who has since moved on to take possession of the :MIN-NHL: franchise)
This year:
The season, the league owned franchise looks to improve its ranking. Some young talent will be FNHL ready including 2012 draftee Olli Maatta (Defense) and fellow blueliner Jarred Tinordi (2010 draftee). In net are two potentially lethal goalies in Viktor Fasth and Devan Dubnyk (if only their real NHL teams catch fire and play them more). The team owns a strong core though on the surface they may not appear to be much, but in Fantrax with FNHL scoring setup, they are superstars including
LW Josh Bailey, $1.5m (2013-2016)
LW Matt Moulson, $8.0m (2011-2016)
LW Cory Conacher, $0.9m (2012-2014)
RW Troy Brouwer, $6.5m (2014-2015)
D Matt Niskanen, $2.0m (2011-2014)
D Kevin Bieska, $4.3m (2011-2014)
D Justin Schultz, $5.0m (2012-2015)
Strengths:
Starting Goaltender
Excellent depth in MiLR
Adequate depth at Center
Weaknesses:
Lack of depth on Defense
Needs:
Dedicated owner to plan strategic direction of team
Depth on Wings, especially RW
Future Outlook:
The Canadiens will have to have their goalie catch fire to compete for a playoff spot come Spring. Their greatest challenge will be competing in an ultra tough Division with the likes of :TOR-NHL: (2012-13 FNHL Finalist), :OTT: (2012-13 Conference Champion), and perennial contenders :DET-NHL: :FLO: :TBL: :BOS-NHL: and :BUF-NHL: ... Montreal has its work cut out for them!
Notable Additions:
Ben Smith (FA signing)
Derek MacKenzie (FA signing)
Brad Stuart (FA signing)
Ladislav Smid (FA signing)
Notable Subtractions:
Michael Cammalleri (Amnesty Buy Out: was scheduled to earn $6.0m (2013-2014))
Michael Leighton (signed with KHL and bought out)
Boyd Gordon (UFA)
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