The Montreal Canadiens are good. There’s no question about that. But it’s not just that they’re good this year, they’re going to be good for a while.
That’s the opinion on Habs legend shared recently on the club’s emerging core.
In a recent interview with RG Media’s Marco D’Amico, Yvan Cournoyer offered his official verdict on this iteration of the Montreal Canadiens. He was explicit in making clear that the Habs are going to have a successful team for the foreseeable future.
“I think they’re going to have a good team for a long time. The players they have now, there’s a real sense of belonging. It’s pretty tight.”
That’s an understatement. This group rose from the ashes of the rebuild a few seasons ago. Through wise moves, savvy trades, and excellent drafting, the Canadiens now have the makings of a team that could contend for at least the next decade.
As Cournoyer noted, the Habs’ approach has been measured. That focus has allowed the team to grow organically from within.
“There were times you could have made changes,” he said, referring to the recent trade deadline. “But I think the group they have now, they feel connected.”
Yes, there were rumors about potential trades. One such rumor was bringing in Nazem Kadri, who eventually went to the Colorado Avalanche.
In the end, the Canadiens didn’t make changes for the sake of it. If a move didn’t ultimately benefit the club, it was best to back off.
Demidov Gets High Praise
One of the young stars Cournoyer pointed out was Ivan Demidov. The Russian import hit the ground running at the end of last season. His impact was instant and led to the Canadiens giving the Washington Capitals everything they could handle in last year’s playoffs.
Now, with a full year under his belt, it seems that Demidov’s skills have impressed the Canadiens Hall of Famer.
“he’s going to be very good. He’s fun to watch, and his skill is so high. I think he has good character.”
That’s high praise for a player who’s just 20. In 64 games this season, Demidov has registered 14 goals and 51 points. With those numbers in his first full season, it seems the sky could be the limit for Demidov.
Everybody Likes Canadiens Captain
Cournoyer turned his attention to Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki. The legend made a comment that seems evident to anyone who watches Montreal play.
“First of all, he’s a captain that everybody likes.”
That statement is like saying water is wet. But Suzuki’s role on the team goes beyond being a likable person. He’s the sort of player who can get down with the best of them.
“They’re all jealous of the Canadiens. They don’t want to show it too much because he’s going to be better than a lot of players on other teams.”
Cournoyer concluded his praise by stating his long-term outlook for Suzuki.
“He’s going to be a good captain for a long time.”
Suzuki is just 26 and under contract for four more years. That situation qualifies Cournoyer’s comments perfectly. With Suzuki, Demidov, and the rest of the cast in place, the Canadiens could be one of the teams to beat for years to come.
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