The Montreal Canadiens surprised many last season, scratching and clawing their way into the playoffs. It was a year of growth, a sign that the rebuild is finally starting to bear fruit. The young guns showed up, the veterans provided leadership, and for the first time in a while, there was a real buzz around the Bell Centre. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. A first-round exit is a stark reminder that this team is not yet a contender. To take that next step, to become a team that can do some real damage in the postseason, the Habs need more from everyone. And that includes a few key players who, for one reason or another, had a 2024-25 season they’d probably like to forget.
Here are three players who will be under the microscope next season and will need to elevate their game if the Canadiens hope to build on last year’s success.
Kirby Dach: The Injury Bug Bites Again
It’s starting to feel like a broken record with Kirby Dach, and that’s a real shame. The big, skilled center has all the tools to be a dominant force in this league, but he just can’t seem to stay healthy. Another injury-plagued season in 2024-25 saw him limited to just 57 games, and even when he was in the lineup, he didn’t look like the impact player the Canadiens had hoped for. A meager 22 points on the season is simply not going to cut it for a guy who is supposed to be a top-six fixture.
For Dach to be successful in a top-six role, the Canadiens need him to be a power horse in the offensive zone, use his frame to protect the puck, and create space for his linemates. And above all else, stay on the ice.
For the 2025-26 season, the recipe for success for Dach is simple: stay healthy and rediscover his confidence. He needs a full summer of training to get his body right, and he needs to come into training camp ready to prove that he can be the player everyone knows he can be. If he can do that, he could be the X-factor that takes the Canadiens’ offense to the next level. If not, the questions about his long-term future in Montreal will only get louder.
Patrik Laine: The Enigmatic Sniper
When the Canadiens acquired Patrik Laine, the hope was that they were getting a pure goal-scorer, a guy who could find the back of the net with his elite shot. And while we saw flashes of that last season, particularly on the power play, his overall game was inconsistent at best. In 52 games, Laine managed to put up a respectable 20 goals, but his 5-on-5 production was a major concern, with just three goals and seven assists. A -14 rating also highlights his struggles in the d-zone.
The issue with Laine is not his talent. When he’s on his game, he’s one of the most dangerous shooters in the league. The problem is his engagement level. Too often last season, he looked disinterested, floating on the perimeter and waiting for the puck to come to him. In today’s NHL, you can’t be a one-trick pony. You have to be willing to work for your chances, to get your nose dirty, and to contribute in all three zones.
For Laine to be successful in Montreal, he needs to find a way to be a more complete player. That doesn’t mean he needs to become a Selke Trophy candidate overnight, but he does need to show more commitment to the defensive side of the puck and a greater willingness to engage in the hard areas of the ice. If he can do that, the goals will come. And if he can start putting up numbers at even strength, to go along with his power-play prowess, he could be the game-breaker the Canadiens desperately need.
Arber Xhekaj: The Crossroads of Grit and Discipline
Arber Xhekaj, affectionately known as “WiFi” to the Habs faithful, burst onto the scene with his old-school toughness and willingness to drop the gloves. He quickly became a fan favorite, a throwback to a bygone era of hockey. But in today’s game, being a tough guy isn’t enough. You have to be able to play, and last season, Xhekaj’s on-ice performance was a mixed bag.
While his physicality was never in question, his defensive-zone play and his discipline were. He was often caught out of position, and his penchant for taking untimely penalties put his team in difficult situations. As the season wore on, his ice time began to dwindle, and he found himself as the odd man out on the blue line on more than one occasion.
The challenge for Xhekaj heading into the 2025-26 season is to find the right balance between his grit and his on-ice responsibilities. He needs to continue to be a physical presence, to make opposing forwards think twice about coming down his side of the ice. But he also needs to be a more reliable defender, to make the simple, smart play, and to stay out of the penalty box. If he can do that, he can be a valuable piece of the Canadiens’ blue line for years to come. If not, he risks becoming a one-dimensional player in a league that demands versatility.
The Canadiens are a team on the rise, but their ascent from a playoff hopeful to a legitimate contender will depend on the continued development of their young core and the ability of key players to elevate their game. For Kirby Dach, Patrik Laine, and Arber Xhekaj, the 2025-26 season will be a critical one. The spotlight will be on them, and they will need to deliver.
Created with the aid of Gemini AI