By Randy Workman

What are the expectations going into this season? The Habs made major strides last year, and they now have one of the best young cores in the league. Here’s my evaluation of that core — the players I’ll be watching closest this season.

Cole Caufield

Best Quality: Cole’s hockey IQ is out of this world. His ability to find open space in the offensive zone to create scoring chances is outstanding — he’s thinking two moves ahead at all times. He gets people watching the puck instead of him, which causes havoc in the offensive zone. Cole also has a deadly one-timer, arguably one of the best in the league.

Needs to Work On: I really had to dig for this one. Cole needs to be more consistent — if he plays with more intensity, he can force the play more often. It may just be me, but I think he could be even more dangerous by pushing his game harder.

Nick Suzuki

Best Quality: One of the biggest debates about Nick is whether he’s a true first-line centre. After last season, I’ve done a complete 180 on that. He’s not only a first-line centre — he’s one of the best in the league. He can dish the puck on a dime, making him one of the best playmaking forwards in the league, and his edge work has defencemen looking for their jocks. What makes Nick truly dangerous is that his defensive play creates as many scoring chances for the team as his offense does. He’s one of the most complete players in the game.

Needs to Work On: Nick needs to be smarter in puck battles along the boards — he loses more than he should there. If he tightens that up, his offensive numbers will follow.

Lane Hutson

Best Quality: Lane might be the most elusive defenceman in the league, and one of the most imaginative young players in the game, period. He gets opposing players watching the puck and guessing where he’ll go next, leading them into no-man’s-land and opening space for Caufield and Suzuki to roam.

Needs to Work On: Lane needs to learn when caution is the better path instead of going all-in every time — sometimes it’s better safe than sorry. He needs to be smarter in his defensive-zone coverage. If he learns when not to jump in, he could be an even more elite defenceman.

Juraj Slafkovský

Best Quality: Juraj has so many tools that it’s hard to pick his best one. He’s one of the league’s strongest forwards, his board play is outstanding, and he uses his size to run over people — it’s very hard to take the puck off him. He’s relentless going to the net and scores more garbage goals than you can count. His wrist shot is underrated, and his hockey IQ is off the charts; he’s often thinking two plays ahead.

Needs to Work On: Juraj needs to develop his defensive game. For him to take the next step, he has to build a true 200-foot game and be as reliable in his own zone as he is in the offensive one. The talent is all there — now it’s about the details.

Ivan Demidov

Best Quality: Ivan’s ability to see the whole rink with the puck on his stick is uncanny. He can skate his way out of a phone booth, and his knack for making something out of nothing is one of the best qualities a young forward can have. He has soft hands and is one of the best playmaking forwards on the team.

Needs to Work On: Ivan is a young, talented forward who can score and pass with anyone in the league — so what’s the weakness? His defensive play. He’ll miss an assignment in coverage, then turn around and make an unbelievable play at the other end to set up a goal. Martin St-Louis and his staff will gladly live with those growing pains rather than rein in his offensive game. Every team in the league would love to have an Ivan Demidov.

Jakub Dobeš

Best Quality: Jakub is one of the best young goaltenders in the league. He came out of nowhere last season, backstopping Montreal on a surprise run all the way to the Eastern Conference Final. His enthusiastic, can-do attitude is contagious and often fires up his teammates.

Needs to Work On: Jakub can get caught out of position when he overreacts to the play, but he’s shown a knack for recovering to bail himself out. He’s going to be a star for years to come.

Final Word

The real question in my mind is whether the Habs will be a genuine contender this season. I think they will be. The only open question is how many more moves they make — will a second-line centre come in before the deadline? I’ll be watching.