(Image Source: EA Sports)
The Montreal Canadiens have been in turmoil for some time now, especially with their last remaining star skater Shea Weber suffering long-term injury setbacks. But, they’ve still got Carey Price in goal, so they’re always in with a chance of winning games. With some decent young players and value in the veterans, this Habs team looks perfect for a tear-up and rebuild on NHL 19. In real life, they’ve done well to be in contention for a wild card place just past the halfway point in the season.
Jonathan Drouin, Center, 84 OVR
Age: 23Role: SniperHeight: 183cmWeight: 92kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 93 Deking, Agility. 92 Acceleration
The Tampa Bay Lightning prospect wing turned into Montreal’s top center through necessity, but certainly still plays like the goal-seeking sniper that he has always been. Last season, he clocked in 13 goals and 46 points through 77 games. This season, he’s spent more time on the left wing, bolstering his numbers to 13 goals and 34 points 46 games. In NHL 19, his lofty skating, shooting, and puck skills attributes make him a very good wing.
Shea Weber, Defenseman, 87 OVR
Age: 33Role: Two-WayHeight: 193cmWeight: 104kgShoots: RightBest Stats: 95 Slap Shot Power. 93 Strength. 92 Body Checking, Balance
Shea Weber is the Habs’ premier skater, by far the best on the team, but could only muster 26 games in 2017/18 due to injuries. His troubles continued into this season too, but he has since tallied 12 points in 22 games. At 33-years-old, Weber still boasts a great deal of trade value in NHL 19, but he is by far the best defenseman for the Canadiens.
Carey Price, Goaltender, 92 OVR
Age: 31Role: HybridHeight: 191cmWeight: 97kgShoots: LeftBest Stats: 95 Endurance. 94 Stick Low. 93 Rebound Control, Five Hole
With an overall rating of 92, Carey Price is the best goalie in NHL 19. Last season, he posted some immense performances to get points for the Habs in games that they simply didn’t deserve to win. With a very weak team lacking any presence up the middle and devoid of strong defensemen, Price’s stat line slumped to a career-worst line of a 3.11goals against average and .900 save percentage. In NHL 19, he’s invaluable.
NHL 19 Montreal Canadiens Roster
From the Day 1, September 13 update, this is how the Montreal Canadiens’ first lines start. With Shea Weber injured at the start of the season, the defensive lines look even weaker, but there is some upside in the speed and skill of the three forwards. But, with this as the team’s top line, and the team having very little depth to speak of, there’s a lot of work to be done before the Habs become competitive in NHL 19.
Max Domi (82) – Jonathan Drouin (84) – Brendan Gallagher (84)David Schlemko (80) – Jeff Petry (82)Carey Price (92)
Name | Overall Rating | Position/Role | Height | Age | Shoots | Best Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brendan Gallagher | 84 | Two-Way Right Wing | 175cm | 26 | Right | 89 Aggressiveness. 88 Slap Shot Accuracy, Wrist Shot Accuracy, Offensive Awareness, Deking, Hand-Eye, Puck Control |
Max Domi | 82 | Left Wing Playmaker | 178cm | 23 | Left | 88 Deking, Offensive Awareness, Acceleration, Agility |
Jeff Petry | 82 | Defensive Defenseman | 191cm | 30 | Right | 88 Shot Blocking, Stick Checking. 87 Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Speed, Strength, Durability, Slap Shot Power |
Tomas Tatar | 82 | Left Wing Sniper | 178cm | 27 | Left | 89 Acceleration, Agility, Speed |
Joel Armia | 80 | Two-Way Right Wing | 191cm | 25 | Right | 88 Balance, Strength. 87 Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power, Acceleration, Agility, Speed |
Karl Alzner | 80 | Defensive Defenseman | 191cm | 29 | Left | 90 Durability, Discipline. 88 Strength |
Phillip Danault | 80 | Two-Way Center | 185cm | 25 | Left | 86 Defensive Awareness, Endurance, Balance |
David Schlemko | 80 | Two-Way Defenseman | 185cm | 31 | Left | 87 Slap Shot Power. 86 Wrist Shot Power, Speed, Acceleration, Stick Checking |
Andrew Shaw | 79 | Right Wing Grinder | 180cm | 27 | Right | 90 Aggressiveness. 87 Speed, Agility, Acceleration, Body Checking |
Tomas Plekanec | 79 | Two-Way Center | 180cm | 35 | Left | 87 Stick Checking. 85 Defensive Awareness, Poise, Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Endurance, Speed, Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power |
Xavier Ouellet | 79 | Defensive Defenseman | 185cm | 25 | Left | 87 Shot Blocking. 85 Defensive Awareness, Stick Checking, Acceleration, Agility, Balance, Endurance, Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power, Aggressiveness, Body Checking, Durability, Strength |
Charles Hudon | 79 | Sniper Center | 178cm | 24 | Left | 87 Acceleration, Agility, Speed |
Artturi Lehkonen | 79 | Left Wing Sniper | 183cm | 23 | Left | 95 Discipline. 88 Acceleration, Agility, Speed |
Victor Mete | 79 | Two-Way Defenseman | 175cm | 20 | Left | 90 Discipline. 87 Speed, Acceleration |
Noah Juulsen | 78 | Two-Way Defenseman | 185cm | 21 | Right | 86 Slap Shot Power. 85 Durability, Wrist Shot Power, Acceleration, Agility, Endurance, Speed, Shot Blocking, Stick Checking |
Jordie Benn | 78 | Defensive Defenseman | 188cm | 31 | Left | 88 Shot Blocking. 87 Stick Checking, Balance, Strength, Aggressiveness |
Simon Despres | 76 | Defensive Defenseman | 193cm | 27 | Left | 88 Aggressiveness. 85 Strength, Body Checking, Slap Shot Power, Balance, Stick Checking |
Jacob de la Rose | 76 | Two-Way Left Wing | 191cm | 23 | Left | 87 Balance, Strength, Body Checking |
Nicolas Deslauriers | 76 | Left Wing Grinder | 185cm | 27 | Left | 90 Fighting Skill, Strength, Aggressiveness |
Antti Niemi | 76 | Hybrid Goaltender | 188cm | 35 | Left | 84 Angles, Speed, Agility |
Nikita Scherbak, Right Wing, 76 OVR
Age: 22Role: Right Wing PlaymakerHeight: 188cmWeight: 87kgShoots: LeftPotential: Top 6 med
Given the state of the team and the decent potential of Nikita Scherbak, those who take on the Habs in NHL 19 should look to get the young Russian wing into the team in the first season. With decent shooting numbers, 87 agility, and 88 speed and acceleration, Scherbak is quite user-friendly from the get-go.
The Montreal Canadiens have huge holes in the defense and at center, so it should come as no surprise that their prospect pool of 18 players has 12 centers and four defensemen. Unfortunately, not many of them have what it takes to become the top-class players that the Habs need, with the exception of the newly drafted Jesperi Kotkaniemi and traded-in Vegas prospect Nick Suzuki.
NHL 19 Montreal Canadiens Top Prospects
Name | Overall Rating | Position/Role | Height | Age | Shoots | Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jesperi Kotkaniemi | 66 | Two-Way Center | 188cm | 18 | Left | Elite med |
Jesse Ylonen | 62 | Two-Way Right Wing | 185cm | 18 | Right | Top 6 med |
Jacob Olofsson | 60 | Two-Way Center | 188cm | 18 | Left | Top 9 med |
Cameron Hillis | 60 | Playmaker Center | 180cm | 18 | Right | Top 9 med |
Allan McShane | 59 | Playmaker Center | 178cm | 18 | Left | Top 9 low |
Cole Fonstad | 58 | Playmaker Center | 178cm | 18 | Left | Bottom 6 med |
Samuel Houde | 52 | Playmaker Center | 180cm | 18 | Left | Bottom 6 med |
Joni Ikonen | 60 | Two-Way Center | 178cm | 19 | Right | AHL Top 6 low |
Scott Walford | 59 | Two-Way Defenseman | 185cm | 19 | Left | Top 6 med |
Josh Brook | 61 | Two-Way Defenseman | 185cm | 19 | Right | Top 6 med |
Cale Fleury | 61 | Two-Way Defenseman | 183cm | 19 | Right | Top 6 med |
Jarret Tyszka | 61 | Defensive Defenseman | 188cm | 19 | Left | Top 6 low |
Nick Suzuki | 67 | Playmaker Center | 178cm | 19 | Right | Top 6 med |
Hayden Verbeek | 61 | Two-Way Left Wing | 175cm | 20 | Right | AHL Top 6 med |
Michael Pezzetta | 62 | Grinder Center | 185cm | 20 | Right | Bottom 6 med |
William Bitten* | 63 | Two-Way Center | 175cm | 20 | Right | Top 9 med |
Alexandre Alain | 62 | Two-Way Center | 183cm | 21 | Right | AHL Top 6 med |
Michael McNiven | 64 | Hybrid Goaltender | 185cm | 21 | Left | AHL Starter med |
*William Bitten traded to the Minnesota Wild on October 3.