A New Heartbeat: Josh Anderson Carries the Torch for the Montreal Canadiens

Oh, that "Habs just beat the Leafs" feeling is coming on strong, everyone!

"To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high."

— In Flanders Fields, John McCrae

Yes, Jakub Dobes is deservedly the talk of the town. He's caught Carey's torch and is wielding it as a weapon any time an opponent enters his crease. Maybe he's more Ron Hextall than Price.

But I'd like to draw your attention to a much bigger handoff of the torch for the Montreal Canadiens this year. Look no further than Martin St. Louis' pick for the wolf pack hat, if you can call it that.

Montreal Canadiens (Official)Habs win season opener in Toronto! #NHL #Shorts

Marty recognized Anderson's impact on the game. This is the team's new assistant captain after all, St. Louis' pick to replace Brendan Gallagher. When Gallagher broke onto the scene, his infectious energy and relentless play quickly earned him the title of the Habs' heartbeat. He gave this team everything.

While disappointing, his departure is understandable and was handled with about as much class and respect for his tenure with the Habs as I would expect. It doesn't always end so cleanly…

But Gallagher's time in Montreal is over. So we look to the future and find a relic of Marc Bergevin's past catching Gally's torch. The very player I, and I assume Bergevin, identified as the natural successor to Gallagher. The kind of player Montreal's always lacked: a big-body power forward who could hold his own in a fight.

Has Anderson lived up to expectations? I'd say probably not fully. And yet in other ways he's exceeded them. He's still here, after all, a carry-over from the overhaul Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have accomplished to date. He struggled to find his identity when Marty took over as head coach. It took time, but they figured it out.

And look at him go! Death, taxes, and Josh Anderson scoring against the Leafs. Montreal needs him come playoff time. At least for one more dance with Tom Wilson.

SportsnetGOTTA SEE IT: Tom Wilson And Josh Anderson Fight On Capitals Bench

He's another guy in need of a new contract after this season. Will he seek a team-friendly contract like Alex Newhook's? Can team and player agree on term? Newhook is much younger, so it was a safer investment.

One thing is certain: Anderson will keep the beat going for as long as he can. When the time comes, a new heartbeat will step up to keep the fire burning. And who knows, maybe he's already under our noses, waiting for his turn to drum these lions of winter into the fight.