Canadiens hope to be ‘in the mix’ for playoffs [Video]

After three years near the NHL’s basement, the Montreal Canadiens want to fight for a playoff spot this season.

Whether or not that means actually reaching the post-season, general manager Kent Hughes isn’t ready to predict. But the organization’s stated goal ahead of training camp this week is to be “in the mix” until April.

“I want us to be in the race, more long-term,” Hughes said Monday before the Canadiens’ annual season-opening golf tournament at Club Laval-sur-le-Lac. “I can’t predict whether that means until the last game, I can’t predict whether we’ll make the playoffs.

“At the end of the day, for us to progress, to move forward, the players need to gain experience as a team in games that matter.”

Training camp for the 2024-25 campaign begins Wednesday as the Canadiens look to avoid missing the playoffs in four straight seasons for the first time in the storied …