Quoting: VladislavTretiak
Habs fans have to choose whether the team is rebuilding or contending. You can't be half pregnant.
I think at the beginning of the season there were no real expectations from the team.
Standouts like Guhle and Xhekaj, Dach finding his role, and looking like he might live up to his draft expectations, and Salf looking capable of playing at the NHL level all bode well for Montreal.
What was looking like a 4-5 year rebuild might have the possibility of being expedited into 1-3 years.
Goaltending is an issue, and getting a more sustainable option at 1RD could have this team competing for wildcard/playoff spots sooner than later.
Obviously a couple of draft picks in 2023, Heineman and Ylonen both look ready to fill in for Drouin/Dadonov (or Hoffman if they can dump him)
PLD is the last thing they should be focusing on, he's a FA add in 2 years assuming that role hasn't already been filled internally by Dach moving to C or a rookie (Beck, Mysak, Mesar, Kidney)