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Are you looking forward to the start of the Montreal Canadiens' season? I imagine the answer is yes.
It's already been several months since the team's 2025–26 season ended… and it's time for it to start again.
And just for fun, I've decided to share my five hot takes ahead of the upcoming season. Let me know in the comments if you think I'm crazy—or not…
1: Ivan Demidov will reach the… 90-point mark
In his first (full) season in the National Hockey League, Ivan Demidov showed that he has the potential to become one of the most dynamic players in the Bettman league.
He tallied 62 points (19 goals) in 82 games, which is a solid total for a rookie. Especially considering he came over from Russia and had to adapt to the North American style of play.
That said, we can expect more from him in '26–'27 now that he's gained experience. And he's notably improved his skating this summer…
Ivan Demidov looks fast. Very fast.
He wanted to work on his skating this summer, and it paid off. The difference is striking: he's moving better than ever on the ice, and it's clear he's put in the work in that area over the past few weeks.
@DLCoulisses pic.twitter.com/TzdpL3Xzkn
— Marc-Olivier Cook (@Cook_Marco) August 13, 2026
My prediction: Ivan Demidov will finish next season with 90 points or more. He'll establish himself as the Canadiens' best forward, and he'll become the team's offensive engine.
I'd even be willing to bet that it'll happen.
2: The Canadiens will make the playoffs—but by the skin of their teeth
The Canadiens made the playoffs last season, and they certainly earned their spot.
However, they haven't improved this summer, unlike several other teams in the Eastern Conference. I still see the team securing its spot in the playoffs because there are too many good players on the roster for that not to happen, but…
But it's going to be tougher than we think.
And it could come down to the final games of the season because it's going to be (once again) incredibly tight in the East…
3: Lane Hutson will win the Norris
Lane Hutson is among the elite in the National Hockey League.
Just ask Corey Pronman!
No joke—the defenseman finished last season ranked sixth in Norris Trophy voting. And it seems like he gets even better every time he steps onto the ice.
His progress has been meteoric, and that's no secret. And that leads me to say this: in '26–'27, Hutson is going to be so good that we'll see him win the Norris Trophy.
You read it here first!
Reminder: Lane Hutson is a Hab. pic.twitter.com/UqJWkoq99M
— HFTV (@HFTVSports) July 23, 2026
4: Jakub Dobes will establish himself as the future #1—we'll be wondering if the Habs should trade Jacob Fowler
Jakub Dobes had a truly fantastic playoff run.
And there's a scenario where he keeps up this momentum to establish himself as THE go-to goalie for the Habs' future. Here's my prediction for next season: we'll see him become one of the National Hockey League's top goalies… so much so that we'll even wonder if the Habs should trade Jacob Fowler, precisely to let Dobes shine even brighter.
That would be a pretty nice problem to have, in any case…
5: The Habs will trade Mike Matheson or Kaiden Guhle
Since the start of the summer, there have been rumors that the Canadiens want to make a major addition to their roster.
And the idea of adding a quality forward has been circulating for several weeks now.
But to get something, you have to give something up… and that's why Mike Matheson OR Kaiden Guhle will be traded before the NHL trade deadline. And I'll go a step further: that trade will happen before Christmas because the Habs will realize they need to add some offensive firepower to their lineup.
Guhle or Matheson will be used to land the forward we've been waiting for since last year…
Extension
Of course, it's also possible that none of these scenarios will come true.
But that's what a hot take is all about. And I'd love to hear what your predictions are for the upcoming season.
