After analyzing the Montreal Canadiens’ top prospects and projecting where they might play next season, the timing feels right to examine how next year’s training camp battles could shape the 2025-26 roster. The easiest way to break this down is by position.
Goaltenders
Jacob Fowler will be turning pro, but as previously mentioned, he will likely need time to develop in the AHL, even if he has a strong training camp. For a young goaltender, it’s far better to start in Laval than to back up in Montreal. Meanwhile, Cayden Primeau, a pending RFA with arbitration rights, presents three possible paths for the Canadiens:
- Trade him
- Re-sign him and risk losing him on waivers when trying to send him to Laval
- Let him walk as a free agent by not issuing a qualifying offer
With these factors in mind, the Canadiens’ goaltending duo next season is expected to remain:
- Samuel Montembeault
- Jakub Dobeš
Defensemen
The blue line presents more complexity. Montreal remains deep on quality left-handed defensemen but lacks NHL-ready, right-shot defenders. While some lefties can play their off-side, it’s far from ideal, as previously discussed.
Projected defense group:
- Mike Matheson (left)
- Lane Hutson (left)
- Kaiden Guhle (left)
- Alexandre Carrier (right)
- Jayden Struble (left)
- Arber Xhekaj (left)
- Logan Mailloux (right)
- David Reinbacher (right)
- David Savard? (right)
Savard could be re-signed on a one-year deal, given his value as a mentor, but at this stage of his career, he’d be best suited as a sixth or seventh defenseman. One of Mailloux or Reinbacher could crack the roster, but that wouldn’t address the imbalance on the left side. Further, it’s unlikely that they would want two rookies on the blueline again. A trade to redistribute defensive depth seems inevitable.
Matheson, given his strong play and manageable $4.8M contract, could be moved to fill another need—potentially acquiring a proven second-line center. With Adam Engström pushing for a roster spot, two left-handed defensemen could be on the move, perhaps including Struble. Alternatively, the Canadiens might extend Matheson and instead trade Guhle, though his leadership and chemistry with the young core make that decision a difficult one. Regardless, GM Kent Hughes will face some tough choices on defense.
Centers
The Kirby Dach experiment at center appears to be losing momentum. Reports suggest Hughes attempted to acquire Dylan Cozens from Buffalo at the trade deadline, signalling a clear intention to find more offensive support for Nick Suzuki in the top six.
Projected center depth:
- Nick Suzuki (right)
- Kirby Dach? (right)
- Jake Evans (right)
- Alex Newhook? (left)
- Owen Beck (right)
- Oliver Kapanen (right)
Expect Montreal to aggressively pursue a proven center via trade or free agency. Based on what the team already has, a left-handed center good on faceoffs is a dire need. However, landing one is never a guarantee. One of Beck or Kapanen could take on a bottom-six role, but having two rookie centers in key positions seems unlikely. Kapanen might shift to the wing, given Beck’s faceoff prowess. If Dach and Newhook remain, they could also transition to the wing depending on how the roster shapes up.
Wingers
The Canadiens’ depth on the wings is creating a logjam, setting up difficult decisions for Hughes and Martin St-Louis. Some certainties exist—Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky are locked into top-six roles for the foreseeable future. Slafkovsky’s $7.6M contract kicks in next season, adding pressure for him to elevate his game even further.
Additionally, Ivan Demidov is expected to join the team. Given his elite skill set, it’s highly unlikely he will be sent to Laval, meaning he should be penciled into the roster. Emil Heineman also appears to have secured a spot, and he could push for an expanded role.
Then come a couple of veteran forwards. Despite their hefty contracts, Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson have proven invaluable, providing leadership and energy. On most nights, they’ve been the heartbeat of the team.
But where does that leave Patrik Laine and his $8.7 million cap hit? As noted by Tony Marinaro of The Sick Podcast, his fit within the Canadiens’ culture remains a question mark. With only one year left on his contract, the Canadiens must decide whether to extend him, see how he performs, or trade him to free up cap space for a legitimate second-line center.
Other questions remain. What happens with pending UFA Joel Armia? Where does Joshua Roy fit into the organization’s long-term plans?
Final Thoughts
As the Canadiens head toward the 2025-26 season, they face a pivotal offseason. The goaltending situation appears stable, but the defensive depth will require balancing, likely through trades. The search for a second-line center remains a top priority, and tough decisions loom regarding an overcrowded forward group. Hughes and his staff will need to navigate these challenges carefully, balancing short-term competitiveness with long-term development. The summer ahead promises to be one of intrigue, strategy, and, inevitably, some difficult goodbyes.
Forwards
Caufield – Suzuki – Slafkovsky
Newhook – [legit 2C] – Demidov
Heineman – Evans – Dach
Gallagher – Beck – Anderson
Kapanen (in rotation)
Defensive pairs
Hutson – [top-4 vet RD]
Guhle – Carrier
Xhekaj – Mailloux (or Reinbacher)
Savard
Goaltenders
Monty
Dobeš
