QUIET CONFIDENCE: Montreal Canadiens AVOID Mistakes, TARGET Internal Growth & Demidov's IMPACT

Montreal Canadiens fans wonder: is Sam Montembeault set for a bounce-back as backup goalie, or should Jacob Fowler leap straight to the NHL? With training camp looming, Laura Saba, Ian Boisvert, and guest Jordan Hachey break down the Canadiens’ quiet offseason and ask whether Kent Hughes’ patient strategy will pay off. The debate heats up over David Reinbacher’s development and whether Montreal’s defensive future hangs in the balance if he isn’t ready to step up. Key topics include Lane Hutson’s potential, the evolving locker room leadership in the absence of Brendan Gallagher, and the team’s search for a reliable second-line center. The crew compares NHL goalie stats, weighs major and minor concerns for 2024-25, and even tackles which non-French Canadian player best embodies true Quebec energy. Can this young core fuel a playoff push—or are bigger moves on the horizon for the Canadiens? 00:00 Discussing Montreal's future NHL contention 05:04 Managing offseason moves and risks 08:20 Discussing potential Canadiens trade 09:22 Player contract uncertainties and future plans 12:43 Montreal Canadiens offseason concerns 18:53 Concerns about team chemistry 21:17 Kaiden Guhle's leadership potential 25:27 Analyzing Backup Goalie Performance 28:44 Montembeault's potential rebound 30:18 Managing backup goalies and call-ups 35:47 Dobson's impact on Montreal hockey Photo credit: David Kirouac - Imagn Images Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.