Progress is the Canadian’s watchword. Nobody puts numbers on what that could mean for points and rankings. This is actually the norm for all teams. You never know what a long season will bring. But things are different for amateurs and journalists.
Whether we like it or not, the progress of all training is largely measured in numbers. It’s hard to claim that a team has made progress if they suffer a drop in points or remain in the same place at the bottom of the rankings.
What will the Canadian be able to do this season?
When I asked Scotty Bowman in September about a story for his 90th birthday, he gave a number.
“We can predict a 10% improvement,” he replied.
In terms of points, that would mean a return of 75 points, seven more than last season. That wouldn’t be enough to get out of the Atlantic Division cellar.
Unless the Detroit Red Wings (80), Ottawa Senators (86) and Buffalo Sabers (91), who finished ahead of the Canadian last season, reverse course. But it’s not written in the stars.
Jeff Gorton, Martin Saint-Louis and Kent Hughes don’t give numbers when discussing the Canadian’s progress. Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montréal / Agence QMI
The Sabers and Senators will be close
Of these three teams, the Sabers and Senators have the best chance of qualifying for the spring tournament. It won’t be easy, but they have what it takes to compete with several teams that made the playoffs last season.
The Sabers are more than due, sharing the unenviable mark of longest playoff drought with the NFL’s New York Jets.
Imagine 12 years without a series!
How would we react if this happened to the Canadian?
Last year, the Senators thought they would make it, but they finished eighth in the Eastern Conference with six points, where the Florida Panthers narrowly defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Senators shouldn’t miss the big spring session for the seventh consecutive year.
General manager Pierre Dorion and head coach DJ Smith know that they have an interest in their team starting the season well. They have been under close scrutiny since new owner Michael Andlauer arrived on the scene and Steve Staios, a close friend of Andlauer, was appointed president of ice hockey operations – something no one expected.
The Senators will play 16 of their first 20 games on North American soil at home (they will also play two games in Sweden during this stretch). They stack up the wins better.
And with a franchise player?
Would the presence of a cross-generational actor speed up the Canadian’s rebuilding process?
No doubt about it, but we shouldn’t think the Habs would make the playoffs overnight.
After nine years without the playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers featured in the lineup just once in Connor McDavid’s first four seasons. But they have gained ground in the last two years. With 99 wins under their belt and an appearance in the Western Finals two years ago, the Oilers are the first choice for many, including this author, to win the Stanley Cup next June.
As for Bedard, he will be joining a team — the Chicago Blackhawks — that has received a bye to the playoffs under extraordinary circumstances over the past six seasons. It was the season that was interrupted by COVID and restarted in the summer with a 24-team playoff qualifier.
As for the Canadian, a step backwards would be poorly received. It is imperative that he moves forward to avoid discontent among his supporters, who have proven themselves to be good players since the rebuilding phase began. But I will still be careful with my predictions.
A 75 point season seems reasonable.
If Martin Saint-Louis’ team manages to reach 80 points, one can speak of significant progress.