They are collectively known, in these circles, as the Eastern Canadian Triumvirate.
(We’ve walked down this road before, so what’s to stop us from launching ahead with another one?).
If you’re in the east, chances are you’re picking the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs or the new kids on the block – relatively speaking – Ottawa as your go-to hockey team.
With camps and pre-season vigorously underway and another regular season and potentially playoffs waiting in the wings, let’s hit the questionnaire for five hot takes and heated inquests revolving around the three clubs.
Here we go . . .
WHO’S ON THE HOT SEAT?
Ottawa: In a strange sort of way, you can point your finger at two of the newest newcomers: Dylan Cozens and Fabian Zetterlund. Both had a bit of hit (more Cozens than Zetterlund) and a bit of miss during their brief amount of time with Ottawa following trade deadline deals. They’re being counted on for stronger production and consistency in Season 2. Thomas Chabot – as the new Wade Redden – always makes this chart.
Montreal: Easy: Patrik Laine. Sometimes appearing sloth-like, the former second-overall pick teases the faithful with a deadly and accurate shot but then disappears when he isn’t near the puck. On a team brimming with high-energy skaters, Laine is not one of them and seems a poor fit.
Toronto: Auston Matthews. There. Said it. With buddy Mitchell Marner working the Vegas angle now, that considerable Toronto-esque heat falls on Matthews. Can he produce without his primary set-up man (for years)? Honorary mention to Willy Nylander. Honorary, honorable mention to Morgan Rielly.
NAME YOUR ‘EARLY’ TEAM MVP:
Ottawa: If it’s a broken record to say Brady Tkachuk, so be it. There isn’t a more impactful player on this team than the 26-year-old power forward. It’s been that way for five seasons. Make it six.
Montreal: Quiet yet confident Nick Suzuki. He, like Tkachuk, has sat in the catbird’s seat for years. Also, an early candidate for Team Canada at the upcoming Olympics. Having written that, wiz-kid Lane Hutson isn’t far behind.
Toronto: Back-to-back category wins for Auston. This could almost carry the caveat ‘well, he better be’ in 2025-26. As Matthews goes, so go the Buds.
WHO’S SLATED FOR A BREAKOUT YEAR?
Ottawa: We’ve got a pair for you – Ridly Greig and Tyler Kleven. In Kleven’s case you could argue he already ‘arrived’ during the latter part of last season. The kid has a cannon of a shot and could use it more. Playing with more edge would be a bonus. As for Greig? The tools have been there since being drafted in that big 2020 selection (Jake Sanderson and Tim Stutzle also went in Round 1). Time to make a leap and become more consequential.
Montreal: Lots of prospects for the Habs as they continue to stockpile high-end talent. We’re going with flashy 19-year-old Ivan Demidov, considered by many as the best player outside the NHL up until his late arrival last year. The kid can skate and score. High-end, indeed.
Toronto: The big horse: Matthew Knies. He’ll be back alongside Matthews and (maybe) Max Domi in place of Marner this go-round. A steal as a second-round pick, Knies is a delicious mix of physicality and pure skill. If healthy, peg Knies for 30-plus goals.
WHO LOOKS LIKE A CANDIDATE FOR A TUMBLE?
Ottawa: Claude Giroux? Artem Zub? Linus Ullmark? All three are important cogs in this machine. Giroux and Zub (with a ton of wear-and-tear) are aging, quickly. Ullmark had an OK year last season. He needs to be better than OK.
Montreal: Laine. I hate to pick on one guy but . . . I lied; I enjoy picking on one guy. Laine it is.
Toronto: At some point you’d think John Tavares would age. Fact is, he was outstandingly consistent as a 34-year-old. He just turned 35. Time will tell. Honorable mention to Rielly who’s become something of a Toronto fanatic’s target. He’s also a major mention in trade rumblings.
WHO’S LIKELY TO NAIL DOWN A REBOUND YEAR?
Ottawa: Tim Stutzle. Now 23 and turning 24 in January, Stutzle’s time to increase production is, well, now. Unless you go by the name Sidney Crosby, the NHL has become a young-man’s league. Stutzle’s numbers have dipped since that outstanding 2023 campaign where he banged home 39 goals and racked up 91 points. His finish has lacked finish the last two seasons.
Montreal: Injuries and bad luck have just killed Kirby Dach’s chance to elevate. In 2023, Dach put up a respectable 38 points in 58 games. Since coming over from Chicago in 2022, Dach’s sat out more games than he’s played. He could be the answer to Montreal’s quest for a second-line centre.
Toronto: We’re not sold on slotting the incoming Matias Maccelli on Line No. 1. This should be veteran Max Domi’s spot to lose. Two years ago, the 30-year-old skated alongside Matthews for good chunks of time with Marner sidelined. It was a dynamic fit. Could be a good-numbers year for Domi if he’s consistent.
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