2024-25
Record: 40-31-11, 5th in Atlantic Division
Playoffs: Lost in Eastern Conference First Round
Key Losses
David Savard (D – Retired), Christian Dvorak (F – Signed with PHI), Emil Heineman (F – Trade with NYI), Cayden Primeau (G – Trade with CAR), and Joel Armia (F – Signed with LA)
Key Additions
Noah Dobson (D – Trade with NYI), Zack Bolduc (F – Trade with STL), Sammy Blais (F – Signed via FA), Joe Veleno (F – Signed via FA), Kaapo Kahkonen (G – Signed via FA)
2025-26 Preview
Continuing Their Growth
For the Montreal Canadiens, the 2024-25 season was a great learning experience for them. The push to make the playoffs late in the season, and snagging the last playoff spot added a new sense of confidence into the Canadiens locker room.
While they did fall in 5 games to the Washington Capitals in the first round, every game was meaningful for the Canadiens. With the addition of defenseman Noah Dobson, the Canadiens were able to fill the spot David Savard vacated after he retired when their season ended.
For defenseman Lane Hutson, he’ll need to prove that his Calder Memorial Trophy win was warranted and have a very strong sophomore season.
Staying Healthy
For the Canadiens, staying healthy will be key to their success. They’ll especially need forwards Patrik Laine and Kirby Dach to remain healthy for a full season for the first time in 4 seasons and 3 seasons respectively.
Both Laine and Dach are slated to play on the second line again next season, and they need to stay healthy and contribute offensively. In 52 games last season, Laine had 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games played. So, the production is there, but the Canadiens need him to stay healthy.
For Dach, he is coming off back to back seasons where his seasons were ended by knee injuries. He is going to be looking to make an impact this season, and prove that the injuries are behind him, and that he has the tools to be a top six forward for the Canadiens.
It should also be noted that both Laine and Dach are in the final year of their contracts this season.
Projected Lineup
Offense
Cole Caufield — Nick Suzuki — Juraj Slafkovsky
Patrik Laine — Kirby Dach — Ivan Demidov
Josh Anderson — Alex Newhook — Brendan Gallagher
Joe Veleno — Jake Evans — Zack Bolduc
Defense
Kaiden Guhle — Lane Hutson
Mike Matheson — Noah Dobson
Arber Xhekaj — Alexandre Carrier
Goalies
Sam Montembeault
Jakub Dobes
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