Projection of the Canadiens' lineup in 2024-2025: several big surprises are found in Arpon Basu's roster

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Elias Edmonson
August 8, 2023 (7:07 PM)

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During his most recent column Habs Mailbag, expert Arpon Basu, who works for The Athletic, made a very interesting projection regarding the potential lineup of the Tricolore in 2024-2025. Indeed, he believes that Kent Hughes should make several personnel moves in the next year to improve his roster, but also with the aim of continuing the rebuilding process already started by the organization.

According to him, the Canadiens' front office should do everything in its power to sign the star forward of the Toronto Maple Leafs, William Nylander. For the first time in many years, the general manager of the CH will have a huge margin of maneuver next summer. He could use a good part of this money to try to acquire the 27-year-old forward, who is apparently set to become a free agent in a few months.

Arpon Basu also mentions that Kent Hughes should test the market value of Josh Anderson at the trade deadline. He firmly believes that the Devils, who have already shown interest in Anderson in the past, could be interested in acquiring him as the playoffs approach. According to him, the CH should target a young player like Alexander Holtz in such a trade. The Devils will want to win as early as next year, and the Swedish forward is not yet ready to have a significant impact in the NHL, but he still has a lot of talent and possesses incredible potential.

Here is the lineup projected by Arpon Basu for the 2024-2025 season:

Cole Caufield -- Nick Suzuki -- William Nylander
Juraj Slafkovsk� -- Kirby Dach -- Alexander Holtz
Emil Heineman -- Alex Newhook -- Brendan Gallagher
Jesse Ylönen -- Jake Evans --Joel Armia

Mike Matheson -- Justin Barron
Kaiden Guhle -- David Savard
Arber Xhekaj -- David Reinbacher

Wow! Do you think a lineup like this would qualify for the playoffs?

The addition of William Nylander would surely propel the Canadiens' attack to another level and allow Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield to have an elite linemate. The Swedish forward scored an impressive total of 40 goals and 47 assists (87 points) last season, and it would be highly interesting to see the impact he could have alongside two talented young players like #14 and #22 of the CH.

Furthermore, although he has been unable to secure a regular spot in the NHL since being selected 7th overall in 2020, Alexander Holtz has enormous potential. There is no doubt that he could explode in the coming years if he plays with players like Juraj Slafkovsk� and Kirby Dach. Indeed, the 20-year-old right winger has recorded 32 goals and 30 assists (62 points) in his last 66 games with the Utica Comets in the AHL.

In your opinion, should the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, Kent Hughes, attempt to complete a trade with the Devils to get his hands on Holtz and try to acquire William Nylander through the free-agent market on July 1st?