So here we go… Knowing full well I will ruffle a lot of feathers with this analysis. I will simply call a spade a spade and tell it like it is.

Here are the facts, almost half the roster can walk away at season end, the management and coaching staff are in a state of flux and the fans have no idea where the team is headed. 

Just take away the fantastic building, the recognizable logo, and 24 Stanley Cups and you are basically left with an expansion team come July.

The Canadiens best players are too young to carry the load and their biggest stars are on the wrong side of their careers. The new coaching staff will be forced to adopt a game plan to play responsible defense, capitalize on opportunities and roll four lines all of which are typical characteristics of an expansion team.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done to plug a hole in this sinking ship. Starting from scratch is probably the only, if not, the best solution. The biggest challenge during the offseason will be to try and lure free agents to Montreal with so much uncertainty surrounding the roster and the huge expectations that will be placed on the team regardless of the team that hits the ice.

In the 100th anniversary of the team it is a shame that they are pretty much where they were 100 years ago, today.