Analyzing The Four Best New Signings By The Habs So Far

Last season was one that all Canadiens fans thought would finally be the one in which the Stanley Cup Trophy would finally make its way to Montreal once again. Sadly, after putting up a valiant effort, the Habs saw their opportunities skate away after losing the title to the repeating Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning. As like all other teams, the Canadiens have started making some very necessary moves to improve their roster looking forward to next season. As different NHL odds experts have started pointing out, the Habs are looking like good candidates to go for a strong postseason run again next season, but some necessary upgrades in their squad are necessary.

With this said, Montreal has been making some very good moves this offseason, especially to fill the gaps after the departure of players like Phillip Danault, Corey Perry and Jon Merrill. So, here are our picks for the four best new signings that the Canadiens have done so far in order to bolster their squad towards next season.

Mike Hoffman, Left-Winger

Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin understood that if he wanted his Habs to try and replicate and even surpass the successes lived last season he would have to hit the free market aggressively and pursue some of hockey’s best free agents alongside some under the radar gems to try and build up a top-tier competitive squad once again. His first move proved to be one in the best direction after signing former Blues winger Mike Hoffman to a three-year deal which will see the player make $4.5 million per season.

Hoffman, a player that was already rumored to be in the Habs’ radar last season will have the chance to be an automatic upgrade for Montreal’s offense, given his power-play skills and adding a much needed scoring power and depth to a Canadiens forwards group that is in dire need of some firepower. His wrist shot is considered one of the most dangerous in the league, with his numbers proving him to be one of the most productive forwards in the league to have around. Having him square up with scorers Tyler Toffoli and Josh Anderson will surely be the upgrade that Montreal’s offense needs.

David Savard, Defenseman

Another great move by GM Bergevin was to secure a top ranking defenseman like David Savard to a four-year, $14 million deal on the first day of the free agency period. Montreal could use some veteran leadership skills and some defensive power in the back and with Savard, who is coming off a Stanley Cup win against the Habs, this challenge suits him just right.

While Montreal shouldn’t expect much from him on the offensive side of the puck, for example comparing him to players like injured Habs captain Shea Weber and Jeff Petry, what they should expect is to have one of the absolute best shutdown defenders in the league. Given the fact that Savard is a Québec native, being able to play for the Habs will definitely pump him up to give even better performances game in and game out.

Chris Wideman, Defenseman

Another solid move made by Montreal in order to add more depth to their defensive core was the addition of former Ottawa Senators and KHL defenseman Chris Wideman to a one-year, $750,000 league minimum salary deal. This deal will not only help the Canadiens add a player who last season, while playing for the KHL side Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo, ended up third in his team’s list of scorers with nine goals and 32 assists over 49 games. This will also help a player looking for some redemption after some off the ice incidents during his time in Ottawa really caused a hit in his career.

While it’s not expected for him to become an offensive power coming in from the defense, Wideman has proven that he has the offensive skills to put any and all opposing defenses and goalies on notice. Wideman could easily become a steal for the Canadiens if he can show his true talents.

Cedric Paquette, Center

Last but not least, if you want to talk about great bargain deals done by Montreal that might end up paying way higher than what the Canadiens originally paid, then look no further than center Cedric Paquette. The 27-year-old Paquette, just like Wideman, signed a one-year, $950,000 deal. If Montreal was looking for a player that’s all about physicality and does not have a problem whatsoever both delivering and taking hits, then Paquette will come in perfectly.

When Paquette is on the ice, his abilities to control the game come in very handy as his dominance allows his team to call the shots with certain ease. Known for being one of the feistiest players in the league, Paquette can easily get under an opponent’s skins and take them off their game, doing all this in favor of his team going for the kill in the offense. Paquette should end up being a great bargain deal signing for Montreal and a perfect player for the Habs team-first modality of playing.