The Montreal Canadiens have shown their growth and development throughout their rebuild. With young players like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Lane Huston, the team has been improving.
One player who does not get enough credit, Emil Heineman, has had a positive impact on their success. The team itself is facing a potential playoff run, and with the younger players, this would be positive for their development.
Last season, during this time, the Canadiens were last in their division. Currently, they are sitting in sixth place. Moving up two places in one year does not seem like a positive jump, but the growth is there. The goal of rebuilding the franchise into a winning team has been a slow process.
The top four point leaders are Caufield, Suzuki, Hutson, and Juraj Slafkovsky. These four young players have been impactful, resourceful, and dynamic. Their experience and leadership are promising signs for the team. Montreal has stocked up on its picks for this coming draft. With the list of picks it has, it can add to its depth.
Heineman has had a big impact on the team’s success. In the 50 games that he has played, he has 10 goals and seven assists. He has improved his time on the ice from lows of 11 minutes to as high as 15 minutes. He has gradually become a reliable player and a positive influence throughout the games. He is more than just a rookie on the roster.
Earlier in the season, Heineman was struck by a car while the team was in Salt Lake City. The impact injured his wrist and took him out of the series. He ended up missing 14 games. He returned in February and helped the team go on a four-game winning streak.
Heineman’s ability to adapt to the competitive nature of the NHL has been a clear sign of development. He has a sense of maturity and leadership when he is playing. As a 23-year-old rookie, he has incredible speed, work ethic, and confidence in his game.
His ability to create pressure, his defensive play, and his ability to make plays have helped the team. He has provided depth on the roster for the Canadiens, even if he isn’t the top points scorer.
Heineman is overlooked when discussing rookies this season. Even though he is not mentioned in the same breath as Lane Hutson or a Macklin Celebrini, the well-rounded rookie has much to give. As he flies under the radar, Montreal is lucky to have him during this rebuild.
The Montreal Canadiens are using their younger players to develop them into successful leaders and players. With their depth, growth, and potential, they are slowly becoming a winning team.
They are 31-29-6 this season, two places from securing a Wild Card spot, and one point behind the New York Rangers and the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Canadiens have 17 games left in the season to make something happen to secure their chances at the playoffs.
The Canadiens have not made it since 2021, when they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning. With the current teams leading the league, it might be tough for the Canadiens to make it far. However, the playoff experience would still be beneficial for the development of their younger players.
Even if Heineman and the Candiens do not make the playoffs, they can end their season on a high note. They have moved up in the standings slowly but surely, and the small jump is a positive sign that they are doing something right in the franchise.
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