Habs are ‘a playoff team’ Suzuki says at annual golf tournament

It’s the unofficial start to the season for the Montreal Canadiens as the team held its annual golf tournament Monday in Laval.

Habs players faced dozens of reporters eager to know what’s in store for this season.

“The outside expectations last year were a bit low, trying not to get too far ahead of ourselves,” said Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki. “This year, I think everyone kind of sees us as a playoff team and that’s where we all think we are too.”

Last year, the Canadiens repeatedly said they wanted to be in the mix, but this year there was no slogan.

Instead the team is aiming for improvement without saying exactly how far they think they can go.

“We’re just moving along,” Habs coach Martin St. Louis said. “We want to keep progressing so we’re not too worried about the noise outside.”

The team’s Executive Vice President had this to add:

“One day at a time. Get better all the time and let’s see where it takes us,” Jeff Gorton said.

With young talent including the 2025 rookie of the year and a candidate for the trophy this season, along with new star defenceman Noah Dobson, there is hope the Canadiens are on the verge of something special.

Meanwhile the general manager isn’t ruling out another big move.

“If we have to overpay to do something to get a specific player that we think is important to the future of our team then we’ll do it,” Kent Hughes, Canadiens General Manager, said.

After some difficult seasons, the Habs had a breakthrough and made the playoffs.

“How much better can we be in the regular season? We know we have to get off to a good start,” Josh Anderson, Canadiens right winger, said.

It seems this year things feel different.

“I’m so optimistic about this season,” Mitch Gallo, from TSN 690, said. “We’ve gone into seasons the last 3 years expecting losses and a lot of losses and for the Canadiens to be drafting high […] You don’t want any regression and missing the playoffs would be regression. I think that’s the goal, at least stay status quo for the meantime.”