With maybe the best goaltender in the game, the Montreal Canadiens are a Stanley Cup hopeful this season. We’ve seen what they are capable of. Remember that this team started 13-1-1 last year and – at one point – was among the Stanley Cup favorites to win it all. And then they hit a wall where they lost 16 of their next 44 games and were nothing more than a .500 the rest of the season.
While the Montreal Canadiens have been one of the weaker offensive teams in the league the last few seasons, they still have enough talent in front of Carey Price to be a 100-point team this season. They have had an offseason full of change, though, as they try to make their way back into the conversation as a Stanley Cup contender. Here are the best players to own and the one player to avoid on the Montreal Canadiens this year in fantasy hockey.
Top Three Players To Own
1. Max Pacioretty
As the top point getter for a Canadiens’ team always looking for scoring, Max Pacioretty is the most important offensive player on a Stanley Cup caliber team. Pacioretty has scored between 30 and 39 goals the last four season, including 35 last season. His best year came in 2013-14 when the light-winger netted 39 goals with 11 game winners, which led the NHL that season. Pacioretty would be higher ranked if he played more on the power play. Overall though, he is a great option for any fantasy roster as one of their two starting left-wingers.
2. Shea Weber
Weber’s first season in Montreal was a modest disappointment regarding fantasy. The defenseman mustered just 42 points last season, his lowest total since 2006-07 while having below average seasons in terms of blocks and hits. There are many reasons to expect Weber to return to form in this season. Weber still contributed on the power play, with 22 points, his +/- of 20 was the second highest mark of his 12-year career and his four game winning goals matched his previous high. He should be under less pressure this season and should develop better chemistry with his new defensive partner, Karl Alzner.
3. Jonathan Drouin
After being traded to Montreal in the offseason, Jonathan Drouin is ready to leave his checkered past in the rearview mirror and become a top-line winger for Montreal. Drouin was impressive in a limited role last season. In 73 games, the forward recorded 53 points with 26 coming on the power play. Pressure will be high on the Quebec native this season, but he should be up to the task after spending the offseason preparing. If Drouin can reach his potential this season, he could finish the year as a top-50 forward and be one of the big surprises.
One Fantasy Bust: Alex Galchenyuk
Alex Galchenyuk is that player who every year is ready to take the next step forward and become a star in the NHL. The problem is, now with five years of NHL experience, it is beginning to seem as though he will be nothing more than an average center. Galchenyuk ranked last on the Canadiens in +/- last season. Galchenyuk missed 21 games last season but projecting out his totals, he still would have struggled to reach 60 points. All things considered, Galchenyuk is an overrated fantasy option this season.
Goaltending Situation
Carey Price is a stellar goaltender and likely to be one of the first goalies picked in most fantasy drafts. The Montreal tender has a save percentage of at least .923 over the last four seasons and never higher than a 2.32 GAA over the same time frame. His health is a bit of a concern, but otherwise, he 40-win level player and one of the best goaltenders in fantasy. Price’s back up, Al Montoya, is a waiver wire add and drop type player, nothing more. He has value solely because Price can be injury prone. The Habs are a decent team and Montoya would be someone you could ride for a period of time if in fact Price was out. He has no standalone value, though, unless you’re in a very deep league and you start two goaltenders.
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