Josh Anderson’s Struggles Highlight Montreal Canadiens’ Season Woes
User Josh Anderson of the Canadiens is suffering with his lack of effectiveness.
Josh Anderson’s optimistic tone from last September’s Canadiens’ annual golf tournament now feels like a distant memory, overshadowed by his ongoing downward spiral this season. The disappointment is evident in his eyes and resonates in his voice during media interactions, where he reluctantly addresses repeated inquiries about his lackluster performance. With just seven goals and 15 points in 51 games, Anderson’s output falls far short of expectations for a seasoned player earning a hefty $8 million salary this season (with a more modest $5.5 million salary-cap hit). Signed to a lucrative seven-year, $38.5 million contract by former Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin in October 2020, Anderson’s struggles are compounded by his defensive shortcomings, reflected in his minus-21 rating.
Despite being the subject of trade rumors last season, Anderson faces quieter speculation as this year’s trade deadline approaches on March 8. However, he can’t help but feel disheartened when reflecting on his statistics, acknowledging the undue emphasis placed on them. Nevertheless, he remains committed to regaining his form, emphasizing the need to return to basics and focus on his defensive play.
While there are still 27 games left in the season for Montreal, Anderson is unlikely to replicate his previous success, particularly his 21-goal output from last season. His inability to capitalize on breakaway opportunities, coupled with a delayed first goal of the season in December, underscores his struggles. Despite this, head coach Martin St. Louis stands by Anderson, praising his work ethic and patience, evident in his placement on the Canadiens’ second line during practice.
Anderson is determined to improve his defensive game and aggressiveness, recognizing the importance of being a complete player and utilizing his size and speed to create space for his teammates. As the Canadiens aim to break a two-game losing streak, Anderson remains focused on contributing in any way possible to help his team climb the standings, acknowledging the urgency of their situation as they strive to secure a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
