Poll: NHL Breakout Player of the Year Will Be a Montreal Canadien

Can Montreal Canadiens dynamic winger Cole Caufield have a breakout season in 2023-24? THN staffers think so.

With the opening of the NHL regular season only weeks away, it's the ideal time to review predictions for the upcoming campaign. Will any Montreal Canadiens appear on 'best of' lists for the year ahead?

The Hockey News conducted a preseason poll to predict the winners of each NHL award, gauge expectations for players and teams, and query several miscellaneous topics regarding the 2023-24 hockey season. Thirty-four THN staff were polled on 32 questions and the results were compiled.

Connor McDavid was predicted as the winner of the Art Ross Trophy with an overwhelming 97 percent of the vote. The rival Boston Bruins received the most votes for the team that is due for a setback; which has to be music to the ears of every Habs fan. The city of Houston was chosen by the majority of THN staff as the location of the next expansion franchise; Quebec City received two votes.

Those are just a few examples of the results of the wide-ranging survey. The full results will be available on The Hockey News later this week. 

Would you be surprised to know that Montreal Canadiens players appeared at the top of two different categories?

Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook tied with Ryan Johansen of the Colorado Avalanche for the most votes as the two players who will benefit the most from a change in scenery. Kent Hughes paid a large price to acquire Newhook at the NHL Entry Draft and is hoping that head coach Marty St. Louis can help Alex to reclaim his potential, much in the same way that Kirby Dach blossomed while wearing the CH.

While Newhook received opportunities to play in the top six in Colorado, the Avs didn't have the luxury of patience to wait for the 22-year-old to perform. Newhook will be afforded that time to find his game in Montreal.

When THN staff were asked to name the player most primed for a breakout, the name cited most often was Cole Caufield. It shouldn't be a surprise that expectations for Caufield are through the roof this season. In just 46 games last year, Caufield recorded 26 goals and 10 assists for 36 points. Can the electrifying goal-scorer pot 40 this season? More?

It appears that the eyes of the hockey community will be joining Habs fans to follow the progress of Caufield and Newhook this season.