There is no way Montreal could be considered a contender. All I see from the fan base is a litany of "what ifs" and no depth whatsover ... just a couple of injuries from a spiraling black hole of a season. Montreal is not a cup contender ... its a team in contention for the 6th-8th playoff seed. Pens/Caps/Panthers/Islanders/Bolts are easily better. Even if Montreal makes the playoffs whoever they play in the two tiers above them will dispatch them easily.
First Tier: Bolts, Pens, Caps
Second Tier: Panthers, Islanders,
Third Tier: Detroit, Montreal, Philly, Rangers, etc.
Fourth Tier: etc. etc.
Fifth Tier: TML
First Tier: Bolts, Pens, Caps
Second Tier: Panthers, Islanders,
Third Tier: Detroit, Montreal, Philly, Rangers, etc.
Fourth Tier: etc. etc.
Fifth Tier: TML