The air in Montreal feels different this October. The familiar autumn chill is still there, but it’s laced with something that has been absent for a few seasons: genuine, weighty expectation. The era of celebrating moral victories and scrutinizing draft lottery odds is officially over. For the Montreal Canadiens, the 2025-26 season isn’t about making the playoffs; it’s about what they can do once they get there.
After a gritty, character-building 2024-25 campaign that saw them defy the odds and sneak into the postseason, the message from the top down is clear. General Manager Kent Hughes and Head Coach Martin St. Louis have cultivated a culture where growth is demanded and success is the new standard. The unlikely playoff berth last spring wasn’t a fluke finale; it was a prologue. Now, with the opening night roster set, the question is no longer if this team can compete, but how far they can go.
The Die is Cast: Assembling the Opening Night Squad
After a competitive training camp, Kent Hughes officially submitted his 23-man roster, a group he believes can take the next crucial step. The team will break camp with a comfortable $5.5 million in cap space, a testament to some shrewd, if difficult, decision-making.
The forward corps is a compelling mix of established veterans, burgeoning stars, and high-ceiling youth. Forwards (13): Josh Anderson, Zachary Bolduc, Cole Caufield, Kirby Dach, Ivan Demidov, Jake Evans, Brendan Gallagher, Oliver Kapanen, Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook, Juraj Slafkovský, Nick Suzuki, and Joe Veleno.
The blue line, a point of concern for years, now looks like a potential strength, headlined by a blockbuster offseason addition. Defensemen (7): Alexandre Carrier, Noah Dobson, Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Jayden Struble, and Arber Xhekaj.
Between the pipes, the tandem is set to carry the load in what the organization hopes is a more structured defensive environment. Goaltenders (2): Jakub Dobeš and Samuel Montembeault.
Finalizing this group required some tough calls. Promising prospects Owen Beck, Adam Engström, and Florian Xhekaj were all returned to the AHL’s Laval Rocket, their waiver-exempt status making the decision easier. The waiver wire itself, however, produced casualties. Goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen, signed to a $1.1 million deal this past summer, was waived to make room for the Dobeš-Montembeault duo. He was joined by forward Sammy Blais, who was promptly claimed by the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, adding a little extra spice to the season’s first matchup.
Also on the EDGE – The St. Louis Shuffle: Inside the Canadiens’ Final Roster Decisions & Middle-Six Mayhem
The roster is also missing two key defensive prospects due to injury. David Reinbacher is nursing a broken hand and isn’t expected back for a few weeks, while William Trudeau is on a longer road to recovery after tearing a pectoral muscle during Laval’s playoff run.
The Russian Revelation: Get Ready for Demidov Mania
Last season, it was Hutson dazzling his way to a Calder Trophy. This year, the spotlight shifts to another rookie phenom, and the hype is already reaching a fever pitch. Prepare yourselves for the arrival of Ivan Demidov.
The fifth overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft is not your typical rookie. Demidov possesses a rare combination of size, hockey IQ, and puck skills that are, to put it plainly, breathtaking. He thinks the game at an elite level, and his ability to create something out of nothing is precisely the kind of dynamic talent that can elevate an entire power play unit and a top-six forward group.
Here’s a bold prediction for the 2025-26 season: Demidov Mania will sweep through Montreal, and the sensational Russian will not only be a finalist but will win the Calder Trophy, giving the Canadiens back-to-back rookie of the year awards. Expect him to be an immediate impact player, posting at least 65 points.
Hughes himself has been impressed, noting Demidov’s “incredible work ethic” and his obsession with improvement. However, the GM was quick to temper expectations, stressing that the burden of hope must be shared across the roster. “We can’t put the weight of the franchise on an 18-year-old’s shoulders in October,” Hughes cautioned. But while the front office preaches patience, it’s hard not to get excited about a player with this much game-breaking potential.
Building Around the Cornerstones
While Demidov may be the shiny new piece, the team’s success will ultimately be driven by its established and developing core. At the heart of it all is Captain Nick Suzuki. Now 26, Suzuki is entering his prime coming off a career-best 89-point season. His performance down the stretch last year was nothing short of heroic, as he delivered the fourth-most points in the entire league over the final quarter of the season to will his team into a playoff spot. According to Hughes, that on-ice performance is being matched by his off-ice presence. “We’re seeing real growth in terms of a more active leadership from him,” the GM noted.
Perhaps the most significant change comes on the blue line with the acquisition of Noah Dobson. Signed to a massive eight-year, $76-million contract, Dobson is the legitimate top-pairing, right-shot defenceman the franchise has coveted for years. He single-handedly addresses several of the team’s most glaring weaknesses. “He gives us a legitimate shot from the blue line that we’ve been missing,” Hughes explained. “His puck movement and the variety he brings to our transition game and our power play are going to be critical.”
Dobson joins a defence corps that already includes reigning Calder winner Lane Hutson. Hutson, a dynamic offensive force in his own right, is now one year away from restricted free agency. When asked about extension talks, Hughes predictably declined to comment, but securing Hutson long-term will undoubtedly be a top priority as the season progresses.
Previously on the EDGE – Centre of Attention: The Battles That Will Define the Montreal Canadiens’ Season
Unlocking Potential: The Pressure is On
For the Canadiens to truly elevate into contender status, they need more than just their stars to shine. A handful of key players are facing pivotal seasons, with Hughes putting the onus on them to elevate their games.
No player fits that description better than Patrik Laine. The enigmatic sniper showed flashes of his elite talent last season, potting 15 power-play goals. However, his five-on-five play was largely inefficient, a struggle compounded by his recovery from major shoulder surgery and a subsequent knee injury that cost him 24 games. Hughes was direct in his assessment, challenging Laine to make fundamental adjustments over the summer. The goal is for Laine to build better habits so he can contribute more consistently through tactical play rather than relying solely on instinct. If Laine can become a more complete player, Montreal’s offence will be nearly impossible to contain.
Meanwhile, a crucial battle is set to unfold for the second-line centre position between Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook. Both players have the skill and draft pedigree to seize the role, but both have been searching for the consistency to lock it down. Hughes hopes the internal competition brings out the best in them. “This is a massive opportunity for both of them,” he said. “We want them to relish the opportunity for success, not play with a fear of failure.” The player who emerges from that battle will go a long way in determining the potency and depth of Montreal’s attack.
The pieces are in place. The culture is set. The expectations have been raised. This is a team built on a foundation of young, exciting talent, supplemented by key veterans and a game-changing addition on defence. The journey through the 82-game gauntlet will provide the ultimate answer, but one thing is certain: the Canadiens are no longer building for tomorrow. Their time is now.
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