20 highlights for the Canadiens in 2025

The year 2025 marks a turning point for the Montreal Canadiens. In the spring, the Habs finally return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021, reigniting enthusiasm at the Bell Centre despite a quick elimination. The summer is synonymous with boldness with the acquisition of star defenseman Noah Dobson, followed by the arrival of Québécois Zachary Bolduc, while Phillip Danault makes a highly anticipated return to Montreal at the end of the year. On the ice, the young guard asserted itself, and Lane Hutson capped off an exceptional season by winning the Calder Trophy, confirming his status as a cornerstone of Montreal's revival. Check out 20 highlights from the past year in the habs fold.

The weeks leading up to the 2025 trade deadline were particularly decisive for Ontario center Jake Evans. In the final year of his contract with the team, the 71 was in high demand on the trade market, considering his impressive offensive production (36 points in 82 games), and he was expected to break the bank in July. Nevertheless, Evans decided to accept less money to stay with the Habs, signing a four-year deal worth $2.85 million (US) per year. In Evans, the Canadiens have secured the services of a reliable player in all three zones who is aggressive and well-liked throughout the organization.

How could we not mention Ivan Demidov's arrival with the Habs last April? With his high potential and above-average offensive skills, the 20-year-old Russian created a real buzz when he first stepped onto the ice in Montreal. Let's just say he wasted no time in thrilling the crowd at the Bell Centre, racking up two points, one goal and one assist, in his first period in the NHL. Very quickly, DemiGod established himself as a pillar of Martin St-Louis' team and a favorite of local fans. And the best part? This is only the beginning, because the best is yet to come for him (and the Canadiens). He may make the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets regret selecting Artyom Levshunov (2nd) and Cayden Lindstrom (4th), respectively, in the 2024 draft.

Against all odds, the Canadiens qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2025. The team had to wait until the very last game of the season to secure a ticket to the spring dance, defeating the Carolina Hurricanes by a score of 4-2. In fact, the Habs were the last team to qualify in the Eastern Conference, thanks in large part to an extraordinary second half of the season. The Habs silenced its critics, proving that it is ahead of schedule in its rebuilding process. The additions of Patrik Laine and Alexandre Carrier have been beneficial, not to mention the incredible performance of Samuel Montembeault.

Captain Nick Suzuki finished the 2024-2025 season with 89 points, including 30 goals, in 82 games, with a +19 differential. He was one of the top scorers in the entire NHL after the 4 Nations Challenge break, racking up 37 points in 26 games, including 15 goals. With his 89 points, Suzuki became the first habs player since Alex Kovalev in 2007-2008 to break the 80-point mark. Having been overlooked by the Canadian team for the tournament, Suzuki proved that he is among the NHL's elite and that he belongs on the world's biggest hockey stage. He will even be at the Olympics! 

Buoyed by a historic seasonfrom Alexander Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals came out swinging in their first-round series against the Canadiens. Bigger, faster, and more experienced than their opponents, the Caps disposed of the Canadiens in five games. However, as the youngest team in the National Hockey League, the Habs gained a lot of experience in the process, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact in the years to come. Fans were also treated to a sweet reward: their first playoff appearance since 2021. With the city having gone through some difficult years, fans greatly appreciated this gift.

Last April, québécois David Savard announced his retirement from professional hockey after 14 seasons in the NHL. He played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Tampa Bay Lightning (2021 Stanley Cup) and the Montreal Canadiens. Having literally given his heart and soul to the game he loves most, Savard agreed that it was time to hang up his skates. This announcement was significant, given the impact Savard had during his few years in the blue, white, and red uniform, whether for his leadership in the locker room and on the ice, or his numerous blocked shots. His departure created a void in the organization that has never been filled.

Despite all the criticism, in addition to the habs' ups and downs during the season, Martin St-Louis was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, given to the NHL's head coach of the year, a recognition that reflects the turnaround taken by the Canadiens. Under his leadership, Montreal surprised the league by qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2021, while posting a significant improvement in the standings over the previous season. This nomination also highlights the management of a young group, the playing identity established, and the staff's ability to stay the course at pivotal moments, right up to the decisive final sprint.

Lane Hutson made 2025 a pivotal year in Montreal by winning the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. A dynamic defenseman, he delivered a historic season: 66 points (6 goals, 60 assists) in 82 games, leading all rookies in points. His 60 assists tied an NHL record for a rookie defenseman (Larry Murphy), while setting new Canadiens records by surpassing Chris Chelios for the most assists and points by a defenseman in his first NHL season. Barely arrived, Hutson established himself as an offensive force and a pillar of the Habs for years to come.

On draft day in 2025, the Canadiens made a big splash by acquiring Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. In return, Montreal gave up Emil Heineman and its two first-round picks in 2025 (16th and 17th), then signed the defenseman to an eight-year, $76 million contract. The trade was made official during the draft in Los Angeles, in a typically Montreal-style setting: Montreal native Luguentz Dort, NBA champion with the Thunder, was invited on stage to participate in the announcement and electrify the crowd at the habs microphone, a symbolic moment in an ambitious summer for the Habs' defense.

The Montreal Canadiens made a bold move in the 2025 draft by climbing to 34th overall to select Russian forward Alexander Zharovsky, a friendof Ivan Demidov. To get their hands on this high-potential player, the Habs traded their 41st and 49th picks to the Carolina Hurricanes. A creative winger known for his quick hands and offensive flair, Zharovsky has top-six potential if he refines his off-the-puck game. Already overused in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, he adds unpredictability and raw talent to the Montreal pipeline, a profile that the organization will love to develop patiently and gradually.

The departures of Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia have created a real hole in the Canadiens' lineup. Dvorak stabilized the center: faceoffs, defensive reading, and tough minutes. Armia was a reliable cog on the penalty kill, alongside Jake Evans on one of the main pairs. As a result, the habs are still looking for the right formula to replace those thankless minutes, especially on the penalty kill, where experience and details matter. It's in these situations that we realize the importance of small details and depth in hockey. It's a formula that the best teams love to use to achieve lasting success.

The Zachary Bolduc trade came as a bolt from the blue. The Canadiens took advantage of the opening of the market to acquire the québécois forward from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for defenseman Logan Mailloux, a move that few saw coming. In fact, Mailloux's name was circulating heavily in trade rumors, but seeing the Blues give up Bolduc took the hockey world by surprise. In Bolduc, the habs have acquired a young, high-potential goal scorer who is likely to become an important part of the team for a long time to come. He's had his ups and downs with his new team, but let's be patient—he's only 22 years old.

The trade of Carey Price marked the symbolic end of an era in Montreal. On September 5, 2025, the Canadiens traded the goalie's contract—inactive since 2021-2022—and a fifth-round pick in 2026 to the San Jose Sharks. In return, the Habs acquired prospect defenseman Gannon Laroque, while gaining significant flexibility under the salary cap. Even though he was no longer playing, Price remained an icon: a leader, the face of the franchise, and the franchise's all-time wins leader. For many fans, it was primarily a financial decision that quietly closed the chapter while saluting his lasting legacy. His $10.5 million (US) contract will expire in July 2026.

Lane Hutson 's contract had long been hanging over the Canadiens, to the point where the organization feared that negotiations would become a distraction. Montreal finally locked him in with an eight-year extension totaling $70.8 million (US) ($8.85 million per season), which will begin in 2026-2027. During contract negotiations, he seemed more cautious and less flamboyant, especially as a forward, so the habs did well not to prolong the suspense. After that, he was like a fish in water and became the Lane Hutson we know again. A real boon for the organization!

The Canadiens locked up their architects: Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes signed multi-season extensions on October 14, 2025, a clear signal of stability during the rebuild. Geoff Molson praised their commitment and the progress made in building a "world-class" organization. In the wake of this, Gorton was promoted to president of hockey operations, strengthening the decision-making structure with Hughes, the general manager. As their contracts entered their final year, Montreal is banking on continuity to develop its core, stay the course, and transform potential into lasting results for the long term.

Recalled from the Laval Rocket on November 21, 2025, Florian Xhekaj received his first call-up from the Canadiens, called upon to add energy and physical play to the bottom of the lineup. The next day, at the Bell Centre against the Maple Leafs, he played his first NHL game, sharing the ice with his brother Arber—a memorable moment for the organization. Xhekaj didn't play small: he picked up an assist on a goal by Josh Anderson after a pass behind the net, then dropped the gloves, quickly establishing his line's identity.

The Canadiens took a low-risk option by signing Alexandre Texier on November 23, 2025. Having become a free agent after terminating his contract in St. Louis, the 26-year-old French forward accepted a one-year deal worth $1 million (US). Montreal was looking for depth at forward, especially with injuries disrupting the trios, and Texier can fill in at center or on the wing. It's a simple gamble: offer him a clear role and see if he can regain his offensive bite. At $1 million (US), the Habs retain flexibility, and Texier has served Martin St-Louis and his men well so far.

Mike Matheson 's contract extension is seen as a "bargain" for the Canadiens. On November 28, 2025, Montreal kept him for five more seasons for $30 million (US) ($6 million per year), when he could have tested the market as a free agent and made a killing. A pillar of the top four, he eats up minutes against the best trios, leads the powerplay, and brings valuable calm to a young brigade. By accepting a modest raise rather than a windfall elsewhere, Matheson chose stability and helped the habs keep room under the salary cap to continue its progress.

Propelled into the NHL due to the struggles of Samuel Montembeault, who was sent to Laval for conditioning, Jacob Fowler seized his opportunity from his debut with the Canadiens. Recalled on December 10, 2025, the 21-year-old goaltender first held down the fort away, then brought the Bell Centre to its feet by blanking the Penguins 4-0 for his first shutout. At just 21 years old, he became one of the youngest habs goalies to record a shutout, behind Patrick Roy, Carey Price, and Ken Dryden, who ironically made their first career starts against the Pittsburgh Penguins. With his Olympian calm and impeccable technique, it's easy to see why Fowler is seen as THE ONE.

Phillip Danault 's return to the Habs was both surprising and reassuring. On December 19, 2025, the Canadiens reacquired him from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a second-round pick in 2026, on the eve of the holiday trade deadline. A reliable center, Danault brings his defensive habits, faceoffs, and calmness in difficult minutes, a profile that Montreal was looking for to stabilize the center line behind Nick Suzuki and Oliver Kapanen. After representing the Habs from 2015 to 2021, he returns as an experienced reinforcement, with the idea of helping the PK and mentoring the young players. A real Christmas gift for the fans!