Stat Hockey’s Montreal Canadiens 2023-24 Line Projections

This is a look at the Montreal Canadiens 2023-24 line projections. It will cover all forward lines, defense pairings, goaltenders, and scratches.

Projected Lineup

F

Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Kirby Dach

Juraj Slafkovsky – Sean Monahan – Josh Anderson

Rafael Harvey-Pinard – Alex Newhook – Brendan Gallagher

Joel Armia – Jake Evans – Jesse Ylonen

S- Michael Pezzetta

D

Michael Matheson – David Savard

Kaiden Guhle – Jordan Harris

Arber Xhekaj – Johnathan Kovacevic

S- Gustav Lindstrom

G

Sam Montembeault

Jake Allen

S- Casey DeSmith

Notable injuries to start season: Christian Dvorak (knee), Carey Price (knee)

Forwards

The Canadiens’ top line wasn’t together for the entire season due to injuries, but were very good when they were. Caufield, Suzuki, and Dach all have their best numbers when playing together, so there’s no reason why that shouldn’t be the line this season. If they all stay healthy, the Canadiens have a very underrated top line that can score.

From here on down, some players might surprise you. But the lines did get a bit messed up because Dvorak might not be ready for the start of the season. Monahan played well and was bouncing back with a fresh start. Unfortunately his time was limited and Montreal couldn’t trade him at the deadline. It makes sense they brought him back to have the same role as last season and be a safety net at center.

If Dvorak was in the lineup, I would say Newhook has the inside track to the second line left wing. Since he’s not, Newhook is needed at center. This means Slafkovsky could get a big opportunity to start in the top-six. The Canadiens are hoping for a more impressive season now that there’s some space for him in the lineup. If Anderson isn’t on the top line, he’ll slot in on the right side on the second line and hopes to contribute more offensively.

Since the third line is directly impacted by the second line, Harvey-Pinard also looks to get a bigger role to start the season. He might have played in the top-six last season when called up, but a relatively healthy lineup will prevent that this season at the beginning. I mentioned Newhook will have to kick things off at center where he is comfortable. Long-term goal might be as a winger though. Gallagher will provide veteran leadership and grit to this line. He’s hoping to pick up his game and stay healthy.

The fourth line won’t look too bad, especially once Dvorak is healthy and somebody moves down. Pezzetta will likely get in some tougher games, but I like Ylonen’s chances now. He proved to be a good young piece last season with the opportunity given to him. Evans is the fourth line center and could possibly see time on the third line if the Canadiens mash up the lines. As for Armia, I think the Canadiens will also limit his time a bit more. He only played half of last season because of injuries.

Defense

There will be a lot of competition on the back-end. This means some players will be forced to play in the AHL for the majority of the season. Matheson proved he can be the number one in Montreal last season before his injury. I think he really steps up this season and puts on a show. Having Savard beside him will allow more chances taken offensively by Matheson too, which will help.

Guhle showed that he can already fit into the top-four, so even though he can play both sides, he’ll slot in on the left. Kovacevic might find himself here, but it’s more likely Harris gets in and gets more playing time.

Related: Stat Hockey’s Minnesota Wild 2023-24 Line Projections

This will slot Kovacevic in on the bottom pairing where he will likely perform his best. Beside him should be Xhekaj, another interesting young piece. These two will surely beat out Lindstrom and Chris Wideman. Justin Barron, who deserves to be in the NHL, will be stuck behind too many this season to make the team unless he really impresses.

Goaltending

Goaltending for the Canadiens is going to be interesting. Montembeault will be the starter and the team is still trying to trade DeSmith. If things work out, the tandem will be Montembeault and Allen to get them through this season. DeSmith will hopefully be dealt and Cayden Primeau clear waivers. The goalie situation isn’t something to get excited about just yet.