Pierre McGuire thinks the Habs have the best defense in the NHL

You can listen to the extract here.

It’s still a big take.

Dobson’s arrival certainly improves an offensive aspect and will help support our young attack, both five-on-five and on the powerplay.

He and Lane Hutson could score at least 60 points each next year.

It will also give Mike Matheson, who has been overused more often than not, less ice time and probably more efficiency.

However, I don’t know how much the defensive aspect of our blue league has improved.

The Canadiens allowed 265 goals last season, tied for 23rd in the league.

That’s by far the highest total of any playoff team.

The Habs often had a bad habit of getting stuck in their own zone for long periods of time, which frequently ended with a goal awarded to the opposing team.

Of course, when your backs help you control play in the offensive zone, as Dobson and Hutson can, it also helps to spend less time in your zone.

Although Kaiden Guhle is increasingly asserting himself in this role, I think we’re missing another good stay-at-home defender who can play big minutes.

The good news is that this defender is already with the team, and he’s David Reinbacher.

I don’t know if he’s ready to make the jump to the team at the start of the season, but I have a feeling that his arrival will solidify the Habs defense in his zone.

In short, I don’t know if the Canadiens currently have the best defense in the NHL, but it should be one of the very good ones, especially in the offensive zone.

Overtime

– Listen up!

– Seven runs in the first inning for the Jays.

– Vlad Jr. will be at the All-Star!

– The American team.

– And the national line-up.