21st in the league was where the Montreal Canadiens power play unit were ranked last season, but their dangerous and lethal new look PP unit for next season could easily be enough to leapfrog their way into the league’s top 5, and are on their way to having not only one of the most compete, but the best man advantage units in the league. With size, speed, scoring, and skating, their fresh PP unit looks like a head coach’s dream, and here is why they could be in and around the top of the PP% charts next year.
Montreal who finished the 2024/25 season with a rather underwhelming PP% of 20.1% were one of the more disappointing teams on special teams, but a quick turn around in talent, and an abundance of great talent and option on the man advantage unit means they have plenty to play with, and could be a top tier PP danger to all teams next year. Supposedly having Cole Caufield bring the lethal scoring, Nick Suzuki bringing the playmaking, Juraj Slafkovsky bringing the physicality and grit, and Lane Hutson taking the reigns as the number one PP quarterback in Montreal, one new addition to the unit could change things up massively, and bring their power play scoring threat up to another level. And here’s the man in question.
Their 2024 5th overall pick in the draftbIvan Demidov had a more than impressive NHL debut against the Blackhawks, scoring one amazing goal, and registering an assist, but also showing extreme talent and positive sparks throughout the game. And with only little experience in the NHL, not only has he earned himself a roster spot for next season, it is likely that Demidov may become the dynamic, killer instinct that the Habs needed on their first PP unit, and will bring scoring, speed, dynamic playmaking, and confidence to their unit. The young Russian who has already impressed with his stick handling and puck skills means he is a more than reliable PP asset, and with that empty slot open on the right wing of the unit, Demidov’s beaming potential could unlock some extreme danger on the Habs man advantage unit. Something teams should definitely be scared of next year, and a special teams wildcard in which teams will fear, and will often be left confused and baffled by what he can do.
But it doesn't end there. Although Hutson looks the obvious option as the PP quarterback with his immense skating ability and hockey IQ, newly acquired Noah Dobson, a fellow PP quarterback joins the stacked Habs back end, and will definitely take no time in competing with Hutson for that glistening QB spot. Although Dobson’s offensive production has faltered in recent years, and his value on the PP hasn't been as much as it once was, he still has a case to be that big and physical, defensively stay at home guy who can easily direct a power play. But, it will be hard to beat Hutson who doesn't exactly bring brute force and defensive soundness to the PP, but brings top tier skating and edge work which makes the PP unique, and brings an offensive edge, and unpredictability to the unit which can often make things very hard for defences.
The Habs have often struggled with finding a set PP unit, but this one looks the real deal. Speed, leadership, scoring, playmaking, and confidence is just some of the qualities their new projected unit can bring, and if they thought they were a decent enough special teams unit before, their new look group could elevate them to a whole new level, and could be a unit in which they see makes their success even stronger, and may be the thing they were missing all this time.
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