The Canadiens may have a bigger Atlantic Division problem than they expected
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Montreal stayed quiet this offseason while Florida, Toronto and others loaded up, making the Atlantic a brutal climb for the Habs in 2026-27.
The Montreal Canadiens might be running in place while the rest of the Atlantic Division sprints ahead.
A new column from JD Lagrange at The Sick Podcast breaks down exactly how much tougher the road just got for the Habs heading into the 2026-27 season, and the numbers paint a sobering picture for fans hoping for another deep playoff run.
Montreal finished third last season with 106 points and pushed all the way to the Eastern Conference Final, but the offseason has stayed quiet on the addition front while rivals loaded up.
Florida added Brady Tkachuk, Jacob Markstrom and Radko Gudas after a disappointing 84 point season, while Toronto brought in Bobrovsky, Raddysh, Roslovic and Paul following a last place finish.
Rivals get stronger while Habs stand pat
That contrast matters because Montreal has not addressed its biggest holes.
There is still no legitimate second line centre, no proven top six winger to pair with Ivan Demidov, and no right shot top four defenseman.
The size and grit concerns from last season remain unresolved heading into camp.
Internal growth from Demidov, Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook could still push Montreal forward, but so could similar growth from every other team in the division.
Standing still against improving competition often means losing ground even if the final record looks the same.
Where the Habs could land this season
The projected order has Florida and Tampa Bay ahead of Montreal, with Toronto and Boston closing in fast behind them.
That would leave the Canadiens fighting through one of the tightest three team races in the entire league for a playoff spot that felt far more secure just a few months ago.
Buffalo and Ottawa both lost key pieces this summer despite making the playoffs, and Detroit appears to have taken a step back too, so the middle of the pack could shuffle just as much as the top.
Training camp is right around the corner, and Montreal will need every bit of that young talent to take a real step forward just to hold serve in a division that refuses to slow down.
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