Suzuki develops chemistry with everyone. That's his superpower. It was going really well with Newhook ahead of the injury.

Because Caufield should be on a second line with big bodies in a contending team.

Sheltering a 5'8" scorer with a weak defensive game makes a lot of sense.

You're not exactly wrong, but I'd argue he can still be effective on that line as he works off Slafkovsky's improvement in board work and Suzuki's ability to create with little space.

The real issues are not having a second line to threaten defenses, teams being able to restrict him as they don't yet respect Slafkovsky as a threat, and a static power play which allows teams to cheat coverage against his shot.

That line continues to build chemistry and can be a dynamic offensive threat which plays well off each other. Even more so with added support from the blue line with the progression of Barron, an emergence of Hutson, and a shooting threat like Mailloux.
We simply don't have enough weapons right now. That will change and open things up for everyone.

The other reason to separate that line is once Slaf understands that he has a great shot, he'll start to unleash it. That would mean two shooters on the same line. Suzuki is already given up shot attempts to try and feed Caufield and Slaf is doing the same. In the past month or so, Caufield hasn't always taken the shots he should have. The guys have to be a little more selfish in the slot and take the shot.

I would have the following as my first two lines:

Slaf-Dach-Anderson
Newhook-Suzuki-Caufield

Anderson should be on 3rd line no matter what

As others have mentioned, I think adding bigger bodies to play with Caufield will free him up even better. Look at the difference Slaf has made now that he's discovered he's actually a giant and can use his size to his advantage. Adding Dach (Who is also an underrated great playmaker) seems like a natural fit.

Suzuki and Newhook looked really good before Newhook's injury, and both a responsible defensively. Adding someone like Roy in the future or Monahan short term (also great two-way guys) could make a fantastic shutdown line while providing top 6 offense.

So for me forward lines would be (if Habs don't add another top 6 player via trade or free agency):

Caufield - Dach - Slaf
Newhook - Suzuki - Roy/Monahan
Heineman/Ylonen - Beck/Dvorak - Anderson
RHP - Evans - Gallagher


For Defense I have almost no clue what the Habs future top 6 will be.... Trades WILL be made to reduce the logjam, but who could be anyone's guess depending on how bold Hughes wants to be. My best guess would be one of Guhle or Matheson will be moved for something really good (most likely Matheson, but you never know). Hutson, Xhekaj, and Struble fight it out for the other 2 LD spots. RD will have Reinbacher for sure. I believe Habs will decide in 2ish years between Barron and Mailloux on who they prefer and trade the other. Then they will try to acquire a vet RD to continue insulating the D-core, and keep Kovacevic long term as the perfect 7th dman. Too early to project with Engstrom and Konyushkov (see Norlinder for reference).

Guhle/Matheson - Reinbacher
Hutson - Savard/future Vet Dman
Xhekaj/Struble - Barron/Mailloux
Kovacevic