The penultimate Habs Mailbag before the beginning of the Playoff season. A wide range of topics were discussed from the expecations of Max Domi to (Insert other)

u/christiv7 asks…. Has Max Domi exceeded your expectations?

Max Domi has been a tremendous addition to this team. When I learned that Claude Julien formulated a trio consisting of Domi centering his line, I was baffled. In my wildest dreams, I’d never anticipate that Max Domi would soar to new heights offensively and defensively in a position where the Habs haven’t had a bonafide #1 center since Pierre Turgeon.

I was preparing for the worst; An ongoing saga with a winger being tried at center. We’ve seen this scenario before with the failed Jonathan Drouin experiment down the middle. However, it was a stroke of genius from Claude Julien.

Max Domi became an instant hit as the team’s 1C. He has been a constant force to be reckoned with offensively while carrying out the defensive responsibilities of a center. Thus far, Domi has accumulated 22 goals and 37 assists in 64 games this season.

Without a doubt, Max Domi has exceeded my expectations. Going into the season, I knew that Domi would have a bounce back year. He fell asleep playing in the sleepy hockey market in Arizona. The exhilaration from a packed audience and playing in one of the most defeaning arena’s in the sport would undoubtedly light a fire under his belly. Domi thrives under a pressure cooker environment. He played his best hockey at the world stage for Canada in the World Junior Championships. He’s relished under the bright lights of Montreal. I expected Domi to become a different player for the Canadiens.

Nonetheless, the key difference is that I expected him to be the 2nd line winger, not the 1st line centre! Adding Domi to the mix as the 1C has changed the dynamic for the depth at centre for the Canadiens. The Habs have another player on their team who can play that position on a consistent basis.

In a sense, the rapid ascension of Max Domi at the centre position will create a future logjam when the Habs prospects graduate from the Junior/AHL ranks. The Canadiens currently obtain highly touted centre prospects in Ryan Poehling, Jacob Olofsson, Nick Suzuki, and Joni Ikonen. This is a good problem to have. I can’t remember a time when the Habs’ center depth was this potent.

Overall, I’m ecstatic that we have Domi on our team. He has undeniably exceeded my expectations. Domi brings fire to his game that’s infectious throughout the locker room.

u/WMino asks… The prospect you are the most hyped for and their ceiling?

In this instance, I’d choose Jesperi Kotkaniemi in a heartbeat. However, I’m going to stray myself away from the Kotkaniemi hype and oblige to a different prospect.



Alexander Romanov is the prospect I am most excited about. The Canadiens currently have a dearth of quality Left-handed defenders. Apart from Victor Mete, the Canadiens don’t have any LHD’S in their pipeline for the future. However, Romanov has planted a seed of hope into Habs fans that he can be a bonafide 1st pairing defender. He dominated in the World Juniors destroying everything in his path. He can perform any task to his coaches liking. From a relative to unknown to one of our brighter prospects, Alexander Romanov has the potential to be special.

u/tom277 asks… How much of the improvement we have seen this year do you think is attributed to changes in our coaching staff/coaching style and how much is a result of roster changes?

I think the team’s coaching staff has played an immense role in the success of the Canadiens. Claude Julien completely changed his philosophy and approach to the game. Julien and his coaching staff instilled a fast and skilled brand of hockey signaling a clear intent that’s he’s willing to change it up for the team to succeed. For so many years, he’s been heavily attached to his rugged style of play. That’s no fault to his own because that philosophy has worked for him for so many years.

However, after the disastrous 2017-2018 campaign. Claude Julien had to change his gameplan to adjust with the times. Claude Julien realized that the game is more reliant on speed and skill. In doing so, CJ has adapted to the new age brilliantly. This team has looked the polar opposite to last year’s counterpart. As well as that, new additions in Dominique Ducharme and Luke Richardson have brought new ideas to the forefront that bodes well with Julien’s thinking.

Roster changes also play a big role in the team’s success. A healthy Shea Weber will obviously improve the team as well as a revitalized Carey Price. Last year player’s; Andrew Shaw, Jonathan Drouin, Phillip Danault, Jeff Petry and Jordie Benn are playing the best hockey of their lives.

The newcomers also have a piece of the pie in the Habs success this season. Tomas Tatar and Max Domi are en route to smash their career highs. Additionally, Joel Armia is a stabilizing presence on the forecheck.

When you add all of these variables, you have a competitive team who are inching towards an elusive playoff spot.

Thanks for the questions, everyone! If I didn’t include yours, hopefully, I can answer it in the fourth iteration of the mailbag.



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