written by Jonah sacks

July 22, 2025

The Montreal Canadiens have had a very active offseason, one that could go down as a turning point in the Kent Hughes era.

After clinching a playoff berth on Game 82 of the 2024–25 season, expectations in Montreal naturally shifted. Once you make the playoffs here, anything less the following season won’t cut it. Although the Habs were eliminated in five games by the Washington Capitals, the series served as a necessary wake-up call, exposing exactly what this team is missing if it wants to compete with the NHL’s elite in a seven-game series.

Management responded with what is arguably their biggest move yet: trading for defenseman Noah Dobson and immediately signing him to an 8-year extension with a $9.5M AAV. This was a calculated and patient move by GM Kent Hughes, who has long been waiting for a top-four right-handed defenseman to become available. He didn’t overpay prematurely, and when Dobson, an RFA, hit the market, Hughes was ready.

Of course, acquiring a player of Dobson’s caliber came at a cost. But credit to the front office: they did an impressive job of preserving their top-tier prospects and instead leveraged draft capital. The deal sent winger Emil Heineman; a strong rookie and promising young player, to Long Island, along with the 16th and 17th overall picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. With the Habs already flush with young talent, those picks were more valuable to a rebuilding team than to Montreal at this stage of its climb.

But They Weren’t Done Yet...

Just when you thought the Canadiens would quiet down after the Dobson blockbuster, they followed up with another move: acquiring Zachary Bolduc: a forward with higher offensive upside, in exchange for Logan Mailloux. With Dobson now anchoring the right side, Mailloux would’ve had a tough time cracking the lineup, making the trade a smart bit of asset management. Again, no panic moves, just calculated roster building.

Free agency was relatively quiet, and that was by design. This team isn't ready to throw big money at a marquee name just yet. Fit and alignment with the core are the priorities, and it’s clear the organization is focused on sustainable progress.

The Canadiens made a few depth additions instead. They signed goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen, likely to serve as the third goalie or push Jakub Dobeš for the backup spot. Up front, they brought in forwards Sammy Blais and Joe Veleno who are two players returning home to play for the team they grew up watching. Both signed one-year, low-risk "prove-it" deals. For the first time in a while, there’s a real sense of momentum in Montreal. And for good reason.

Projected Opening Night Lineup (2025–26)

Forwards
Slafkovsky – Suzuki – Caufield
Bolduc – Dach – Demidov
Newhook – Veleno – Laine
Anderson – Evans – Gallagher

Extras/Camp Battles: Joshua Roy, Oliver Kapanen, Sammy Blais, Owen Beck, Sean Farrell

Defense
Hutson – Dobson
Guhle – Carrier
Matheson – Struble

Battling for Spots: Arber Xhekaj, David Reinbacher

Goaltenders

Montembeault

Dobeš

Kähkönen

These lines represent a clear upgrade from last year’s opening roster. Ivan Demidov, already a Calder Trophy favorite, is a game-changer in the top six. Bolduc’s scoring touch complements him nicely. Dobson provides much-needed size and versatility to a previously undersized blue line, and Kähkönen adds important depth in goal.

What Got Worse?

Joe Veleno or Oliver Kapanen are both currently downgrades from Christian Dvorak, who held down the 3C role reliably for four seasons. That’s one of the few areas where Montreal took a step back. More importantly, the penalty kill could suffer. Dvorak, David Savard, and Joel Armia are all gone and were key cogs in a consistently strong PK unit.

Nick Suzuki will need to shoulder more responsibility on the kill, and either Veleno or Kapanen will have to prove capable defensively to earn minutes in that role. Dobson, while not a Savard-type shot-blocking defender, can contribute on the PK. Kaiden Guhle, too, is expected to take on more responsibility.

Final Thoughts by HabsCulture

No, the Canadiens aren't Stanley Cup contenders, not yet. But they’re undeniably closer. This summer’s moves were measured, intentional, and aligned with the long-term vision of this rebuild.

There’s more scoring. There’s better defense. The goaltending remains steady. And most importantly, the core of Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky, Hutson, Guhle, and now Demidov is one year older, one year better, and one year hungrier.

The Habs are moving in the right direction. It’s an exciting time to be a fan in Montreal. And while this team might not be ready to lift the Cup just yet, to quote Marc Bergevin: “Expect the unexpected.”