What the Canadiens need in 2026 to become even better

Marc-Olivier Cook
What the Canadiens need in 2026 to become even better
Credit: Getty Images

Happy Holidays!

The year 2025 is about to come to an end. And the Canadiens have done some great things over the past 12 months. They've made the playoffs, acquired Noah Dobson, Zachary Bolduc, and Phillip Danault…

But not everything has been perfect. So, I've targeted three things in particular that could really help the Canadiens in 2026 if they get it right. Let's go!

1: We need to find a second center

Since the start of the season, Oliver Kapanen has played an important role on the team. He's been given the mandate to occupy the second center's chair, and he's done his job well under the circumstances.

But…

But in the long term, you need a better guy to fill that role. We need to surround Ivan Demidov in the right way, and we need to find him a high-quality center to allow him to blossom even more.

Kapanen may have been the surprise of the season so far, but still.

In the long term, Kapanen at the center of the second line… it's probably not viable. And I'm probably not the only one who thinks that way.

Kent Hughes has been trying to solve this “problem” for a long time. He's been looking for a quality second center for a long time, but he hasn't found one yet.

Will he succeed in 2026? That would be nice… for everyone.

2: Need help from goalies

Samuel Montembeault helped the Canadiens make the playoffs last season. But he hasn't been the same goalie since the start of the 25-26 season.

In fact… he's virtually unrecognizable. He's no longer making the big saves, and his difficulties have even sent him to Laval for a few games to get back into shape.

It's not ideal, we agree.

Especially not for a club trying to make the playoffs…

Jakub Dobes was good at times, but it's not enough.

We need goalkeeping help in 2026. That's how the club will be able to move forward, and that's how the club will have a chance of making the next playoffs in the National League.

Now, whether it's Dobes, Monty or Jacob Fowler… it doesn't matter.

Whoever has the answers to the Canadiens' problems in net deserves to play. We don't know who that goalie is yet, but we're likely to find out pretty quickly too.

I have a feeling that Fowler will prove some people wrong…

3: Youth progression

The Canadiens have the youngest team in the National League. It's no secret: it's a fact.

That being said…

To see the club become even better, the youngsters will have to progress too. And here, I'm thinking of several guys in particular: Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, Zachary Bolduc, Oliver Kapanen, Lane Hutson, Jacob Fowler…

They are the future of the Montreal Canadiens. They will hold the keys to the club in their hands for the next few years, and they must continue to progress in the right way to help the Habs reach another level.

Ivan Demidov is showing some really interesting signs so far. And the same can be said of all the other guys I've named!

The Canadiens are doing a great job of developing their youngsters.

Martin St-Louis is able to put them in good situations for their progression on the ice, and the club is lucky in that respect in a way. Now… we need even better results, and if that happens, the Habs will be in a boat.

Because we know that the older players are there to help too. Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Alex Newhook, Jake Evans… these guys have reached their ceiling and are capable of playing an important role on the team.

But if the young guys are able to play an even bigger role on the team, that's sure to help.


Extension

Of course, we also want the Canadiens to stay healthy. Injuries can happen at any time, and that's part of the game, but it would be really interesting to see the club avoid as many as possible.

And here, you'll understand that I'm referring in particular to Kirby Dach and David Reinbacher. They have what it takes to help the Canadiens in the future, but they need to avoid the infirmary too…

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