Montreal Canadiens 2025/26 Season Preview: Are the Habs Finally Out of the Rebuild?

Can the Habs turn promise into playoff staying power?

A Quick Look at the Canadien’s Last Season

Record: 40–31–11 (91 points)
Result: Lost in First Round of Eastern Conference Playoffs
2025–26 Stanley Cup Odds: +4000 at Sports Interaction
Projected Points: 93.5

Montreal’s Offseason Recap

Montreal did not overhaul its roster. It refined it.

After a surprise playoff appearance, the Canadiens doubled down on their youth movement while adding just enough experience to stay competitive.

The headline addition was defenceman Noah Dobson, acquired from the Islanders in June. His arrival solidified what could quietly become one of the NHL’s best young blue lines. Lane Hutson, last season’s Calder Trophy winner, returns as the offensive spark on the back end, while Kaiden Guhle, Mike Matheson, and Alexandre Carrier round out a well-balanced group.

Up front, Montreal kept its core intact with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovský, and Patrik Laine, and added Zack Bolduc, a sneaky offseason pickup who could thrive in an expanded role. The club also made room for depth forwards Joe Veleno and Oliver Kapanen, who both impressed in camp.

In goal, Sam Montembeault returns as the clear No. 1, with Jakub Dobeš winning the backup spot after a composed preseason.

2025/26 Team Outlook

Offence: Skill Meets Speed

Montreal’s top six can score. Now it is about doing it consistently.

Suzuki (30 G, 59 A) and Caufield (37 G) anchor a line that carried the team last season, while Slafkovský continues to mature into a power-forward presence. The addition of Russian rookie Ivan Demidov adds creativity and vision. He is projected to be an immediate top-six contributor after a 49-point KHL season.

Patrik Laine gives the Canadiens another proven goal-scorer, and Zack Bolduc could become a breakout player after posting 19 goals as a rookie in St. Louis. The challenge is sustaining possession. Montreal ranked bottom-five in shot attempts and shots on goal last year. That is where Dobson’s puck-moving ability and St. Louis’s system adjustments must make an impact.

Defence: A Budding Powerhouse

For the first time in years, Montreal’s defence might be its greatest strength.

Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson form one of the NHL’s most dynamic young duos, potentially Montreal’s version of Makar and Toews. Dobson brings elite transition and offensive upside, while Hutson’s creativity fuels the power play.

Behind them, Kaiden Guhle, Alexandre Carrier, and Mike Matheson provide stability and puck retrieval, giving Martin St. Louis the flexibility to match up effectively against any top line.

Goaltending: Montembeault’s Time

Sam Montembeault has quietly become one of the league’s most reliable starters. Over the past two seasons, he has saved 49 goals above expected, ranking among the NHL’s top five by public models. His calm, technically sound play has made him a steadying force for a young team still learning defensive discipline.

Jakub Dobeš, 23, earned the backup job and could see meaningful minutes early. The Canadiens’ goaltending tandem is solid, but an injury to Montembeault would change that fast.

Montreal’s X-Factors

Lane Hutson: The sophomore phenom can already drive offence from the back end. If his defensive game improves, he is a star in the making.

Noah Dobson: His arrival changes the blue-line hierarchy and may unlock Rielly-style production from Matheson in a secondary role.

Ivan Demidov: The KHL import could be this season’s breakout rookie if his playmaking translates quickly.

Kirby Dach: If healthy, he gives the Canadiens the big-bodied centre they have lacked.

Montreal Canadiens 2025/26 Betting Outlook

Sports Interaction’s NHL Futures board lists Montreal at:

+5000 to win the Stanley Cup

-125 to make the playoffs

The Canadiens’ improved defence and goaltending make them an intriguing long-shot playoff pick, but offensive inconsistency could still derail a run.

Best Bet: Montreal to Make the Playoffs (-125)
A balanced roster, a healthy Dach, and elite goaltending give them a legitimate shot at back-to-back postseason appearances.

So, What’s the Final Verdict on these Habs?

The Canadiens are no longer rebuilding. They are rising. With Hutson and Dobson anchoring the defence and Suzuki leading a skilled forward group, Montreal has the tools to surprise again. But until the young forwards show they can defend at an NHL playoff level, this team’s ceiling is capped.

Prediction: 94 points, 4th in the Atlantic Division, Wild-Card berth
Bottom Line: The Habs are ahead of schedule but still learning how to stay there.