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The Habs Fantasy Lowdown for the 2019-2020 Season

August 14, 2019, 5:50 PM ET [214 Comments]
Karine Hains
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
I don't know about you but every year, I end up being in 3 or 4 fantasy leagues and that makes the hockey season even more fun. One of those leagues is entering it's 12th season this year and with 16 fantasy owners each owning a 23 players roster, our draft goes deep, really deep. Of course, anyone who's ever won a fantasy league will tell you that to win, you need to be realistic and pick with your head and not your heart...In short, even if you are a Habs fan, it's important to realize that your team doesn't necessarily old much fantasy value and be ready to draft in other teams. That being said, there are some players on the Habs that are relevant in fantasy land and here's what 3 pool guides have to say about them.

This year, I bought the Hockey News Ultimate Fantasy Pool Guide (THN), Hockey Le Magazine -Guide des Poolers (HLM, non non pas habitation à loyer modique bon) and Pool Pro (PP). I know that some of you are not fans of some or all of those but I do think it's interesting to see what "experts" project for our players so here goes...

Max Domi: all 3 magazines agree, Domi will once again lead the way for the Canadiens. THN sees number 13 reaching 70 points for a second year in a row, while HLM believes he'll fall just short at 69 and PP predicts a 65 points season (going as high as 75 points if he enjoys a dream season - got to love how PP plays it safe by giving themselves a 10 points margin of error). All 3 publications still list Domi as the top line centre for the Canadiens and no one is contemplating moving him back to the wing...yet.

Jonathan Drouin:Of all 3 magazines, THN is the most optimistic when it comes to Drouin's numbers this coming season projecting him at 69 points which would be a career year for him. Meanwhile, HLM sees him getting 51 points, 2 less than he did last season when he suffered the mother of all draught in the last 2 months of the year...interesting. As for PP, they play it safe with 60 points going as far as 75 points in case of an above expectations season. Funny to see that the out of market magazine is hotter on Drouin than the other two...are Montreal people just too harsh on 92? Time will tell...

Brendan Gallagher: The diminutive winger is finally starting to earn some respect and no one claims that he will be unable to repeat past performance that were just luck (about time). THN puts him at 55 points, HLM at 54 and PP between 51 and 65. Anyone surprised that everyone expects another 50+ points season from Gally?



Tomas Tatar:Tuna put 58 points under his belt last season and the consensus seems to be that he will not be able to do that two years in a row although he will come close. THN puts him tied with Gallagher at 55 points, HLM also believes that 55 will be his magic number and PP puts him at 50 with a chance for 65 if all bets are off while also marking him as a player in regression.

Phillip Danault: While he did get himself in the Selke conversation last season, it seems that not everyone got the memo. THN sees his production falling at 45 points, while HLM puts him at 54 and PP believes he'll reach 51 (60 if he has a dream season). To be honest, I'm leaning with HLM on this one, if he keeps Tatar and Gallagher on his wings, his production will not decrease.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi: The youngster had a good first season with 34 points and everyone agrees, his sophomore one will be even better. THN sees him hitting 40, HLM raises that number to 44 and PP bets on 42 while saying a dream year could see him get as much as 75 points...yup that's a 33 points margin...I'd love to see KK hit the big times but I can't see that happening this season.

On the blue line, two of the Habs players deserve a mention and I won't be giving you a pat on the back if you guess which ones, it's quite obvious...

Shea Weber: After an injury shorten season saw him put up 33 points in 58 games, all experts agree that he will do better. Again, THN is the most optimistic outlet putting him down for 48 points while HLM sees him getting 41 and PP is at 42 (with 55 possible). Interestingly, PP doesn't see him as regressing yet...

Jeff Petry: Picking up the slack while Weber was injured has done wonders for Petry's confidence and involvement, he had 46 points last year and all 3 magazines see him reaching the 40 points mark again with THN at 41 points, HLM at 43 and PP at 44 (up to 50 if he has a dream season). Personally, I wouldn't be surprised to see him post his best season yet.

Of course, all 3 magazines do tell us how the Habs' net minder will do:

Carey Price: After a bounce back 35 wins season, all magazine are predicting a good year for him. THN has him recording 37 wins and 4 shutouts, HLM puts him down for 35 wins and 4 SO while PP give him 33 wins and up to 45 should he had a career year.

As for the team, I'm afraid most do not see the Canadiens in the playoffs. Only 2 of the 6 THN experts ( Jason Kay and Ryan Kennedy) believe the Habs will make it to the Spring dance. Meanwhile HLM believes they'll be 5th in the Atlantic division which would make a playoff birth rather hard to clinch and PP also has them on the outside looking him.

I know, it's early to predict anything but it's all part of the build up fun to the season! What do you think of the "experts" predictions? Anyone you believe will exceed all expectation or on the contrary have the worst season ever?

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