2025-26 Montreal Canadiens discussion thread

[DON]

What are odds Guhle plays 82games this season?

Fantasy Focus: Kaiden Guhle – HabsWorld.net

 

3-Year Averages
GP: 56
Goals: 5
Assists: 14
Points: 19
+/-: -7
PIMS: 43
PPG: 0
GWG: 1
Shots: 71

[GHT120]

4 hours ago, DON said:

What are odds Guhle plays 82games this season?

Fantasy Focus: Kaiden Guhle – HabsWorld.net

 

3-Year Averages
GP: 56
Goals: 5
Assists: 14
Points: 19
+/-: -7
PIMS: 43
PPG: 0
GWG: 1
Shots: 71

The article's prediction of 64 games is likely pretty good; my top-end expectation/hope would be 72 ... he has played 44-70-55 in his three seasons  

[JoeLassister]

Guhle is due for a quite healthy season.

 

I'd like to predict 76 games. 

[GHT120]

2 hours ago, JoeLassister said:

Guhle is due for a quite healthy season.

 

I'd like to predict 76 games. 

 

[dlbalr]

With Christer Rockstrom retiring, the Habs have hired Jan-Ake Tiensuu as a European scout.  Tommy Lehman is now the top European scout, taking Rockstrom's old role.

 

https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/601/jan-ake-tiensuu

[DON]

I suppose Farrell has little future with the Habs on the wing this season; barring a few injuries, good training camp and a red-hot start in Laval.

And long term i guess we just hope he has a great season and some other team(s) values him.

 

https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/sean-farrell-2025-montreal-canadiens-top-25-under-25-prospect-ranking-scouting-report-stats-projection/

 

The 2024-25 AHL season saw two entirely different players in Sean Farrell’s #15 jersey. He was a complete ghost for the opening 30 games of the season, and then became the AHL’s hottest scoring forward on one of the league’s best lines to end the year.

[DON]

Important stuff.

NHL EDGE stats leaders for Montreal Canadiens | NHL.com

 

The Canadiens ranked eighth in the NHL last season in total miles skated on the power play (276.76) and were led by Suzuki who was tied for third among forwards and was fourth in the entire NHL in that category (40.94). Suzuki also ranked among the leaders at his position in total miles skated at all strengths (262.07; 97th percentile) and even strength (213.89; 96th percentile

[GHT120]

2 hours ago, DON said:

Important stuff.

NHL EDGE stats leaders for Montreal Canadiens | NHL.com

 

The Canadiens ranked eighth in the NHL last season in total miles skated on the power play (276.76) and were led by Suzuki who was tied for third among forwards and was fourth in the entire NHL in that category (40.94). Suzuki also ranked among the leaders at his position in total miles skated at all strengths (262.07; 97th percentile) and even strength (213.89; 96th percentile

Does that reflect a lot of movement in the offensive zone or a relative inability to keep the puck in the zone and a need to retrieve it and for everyone to reset ... the Habs were also 7th in the number of powerplays so may just be a relatively average distance per powerplay. 

[DON]

Lane, how much patience 5 on 5 will St Louis have?

Fantasy Focus: Patrik Laine – HabsWorld.net

 

While Laine was a big power play weapon last season, his five-on-five play often left a lot to be desired.  He was used on a few different lines and both wings but nothing could really stick for any extended period of time.  Then, as his confidence faded, his play weakened and he went lower on the depth chart.  Odds being odds and Laine’s history being what it is, that’s probably going to happen again.

 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

1 hour ago, DON said:

Lane, how much patience 5 on 5 will St Louis have?

Fantasy Focus: Patrik Laine – HabsWorld.net

 

While Laine was a big power play weapon last season, his five-on-five play often left a lot to be desired.  He was used on a few different lines and both wings but nothing could really stick for any extended period of time.  Then, as his confidence faded, his play weakened and he went lower on the depth chart.  Odds being odds and Laine’s history being what it is, that’s probably going to happen again.

 

 

Great article as usual by Brian. Laine is an enigma, and while he will likely have a hot streak that gets us all hailing his return to form, it’s 99% guaranteed to prove illusory. He seems to be one of those guys for whom “there’s always something” (as Therrien said of Drouin). Brian’s prediction looks realistic to me.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

[DON]

Talk is cheap Patty, but hope you are a dangerous weapon and score 30 this season.

 

 

[tomh009]

15 hours ago, DON said:

Talk is cheap Patty, but hope you are a dangerous weapon and score 30 this season.

He didn't say he was going to score 80 goals, only that he has been able to train all summer this year. Does that really need to be bashed?

[tomh009]

15 hours ago, DON said:

Talk is cheap Patty, but hope you are a dangerous weapon and score 30 this season.

He didn't say he was going to score 80 goals, only that he has been able to train all summer this year. Does that really need to be bashed?

[DON]

Camt see a future with Habs for him, seems too many better forward prospects ahead of him now.

 

2025 Canadiens Top 25 Under 25: #20 Joshua Roy

 

There were plenty of games last season when he looked like the best player on the ice in the AHL. Plenty of games when he looked like he belonged in the NHL. Then, there were nights when he looked like he’d rather be doing his taxes. As part of a prospect group that has done nothing but improve around him, he simply can’t afford to be having those games if the NHL is his goal.

[DON]

Who role will he play.

 

Fantasy Focus: Alex Newhook – HabsWorld.net

 

"... It’s possible that he’s on the second line, potentially between Patrik Laine and Ivan Demidov, especially with there being some uncertainty about Dach’s availability to start the season.  He could be more of a third liner but that would mean the expected veteran line of Anderson-Evans-Gallagher either was the fourth trio or wasn’t together.  In that case, Newhook might line up with someone like newcomer Zach Bolduc who would be a decent complementary fit style-wise."

 

 

[GHT120]

6 hours ago, DON said:

Camt see a future with Habs for him, seems too many better forward prospects ahead of him now.

 

2025 Canadiens Top 25 Under 25: #20 Joshua Roy

 

There were plenty of games last season when he looked like the best player on the ice in the AHL. Plenty of games when he looked like he belonged in the NHL. Then, there were nights when he looked like he’d rather be doing his taxes. As part of a prospect group that has done nothing but improve around him, he simply can’t afford to be having those games if the NHL is his goal.

 

I agree ... he has yet to impress me in any NHL appearances ... don't think he has Top 6 potential or Bottom 6 defence/"edge"

[GHT120]

13 hours ago, tomh009 said:

He didn't say he was going to score 80 goals, only that he has been able to train all summer this year. Does that really need to be bashed?

Tend to agree ... success not guaranteed but there is at least some cause for optimism.

[DON]

2 hours ago, GHT120 said:

 

I agree ... he has yet to impress me in any NHL appearances ... don't think he has Top 6 potential or Bottom 6 defence/"edge"

Charles Hudon 2.0?

 

2 hours ago, GHT120 said:

Tend to agree ... success not guaranteed but there is at least some cause for optimism.

He scored 20 with lots the baggage, so 30 would be a good amount if happy/healthy. 

 

But, we know his 5-on-5 effort level wont change, nor will his defensive game, so he will need to play with a centre with some defensive chops, not a Newhook or Dach.

And a line with Laine on one-side & Demidov on the other could be pretty scary in own end.

[hab29RETIRED]

16 hours ago, tomh009 said:

He didn't say he was going to score 80 goals, only that he has been able to train all summer this year. Does that really need to be bashed?

100% agree

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

3 hours ago, GHT120 said:

 

I agree ... he has yet to impress me in any NHL appearances ... don't think he has Top 6 potential or Bottom 6 defence/"edge"

 

I said the same thing a while back but Commandant pointed out that Roy was very good at the World Juniors doing things well that a bottom 6 guy would do ie. killing penalties if I remember correctly.

 

I agree though, he hasn't impressed me at all at the NHL level. 

[DON]

On other hand is this kid, who is playing on PK as a rookie in Laval and 'bit' more physicality than Roy.

 

https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/florian-xhekaj-2025-montreal-canadiens-top-25-under-25-prospect-ranking-scouting-report-stats-projection/

 

He had no problem adapting to the next level of hockey and became a notorious menace in the pros at just 20 years old. He had long-time vets, coaches, officials, and opposing commentary riled up from the first second he stepped on the ice. With a year of experience under his belt, it will only become worse.

 

[GHT120]

5 hours ago, DON said:

On other hand is this kid, who is playing on PK as a rookie in Laval and 'bit' more physicality than Roy.

 

https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/florian-xhekaj-2025-montreal-canadiens-top-25-under-25-prospect-ranking-scouting-report-stats-projection/

 

He had no problem adapting to the next level of hockey and became a notorious menace in the pros at just 20 years old. He had long-time vets, coaches, officials, and opposing commentary riled up from the first second he stepped on the ice. With a year of experience under his belt, it will only become worse.

 

I see hope for him growing into a solid career as a 4th liner, likely dependent on his skating ... if he ends up with close to average NHL-level skating he might have a shot at 3rd line time.

[Commandant]

I dont see him jumping from 4th line in the AHL last year to NHL this year.

 

He will need a year further up the lineup with more minutes and responsibility in the AHL first.  

[DON]

Florian has taken big steps in last 2 years since drafted after a 13g OHL season.

Will he continue to build on that progression this fall?

Seeing Dvorak/Pezzetta/Armia all exit this summer also must give him bit more hope of cracking Habs roster in near future.

 

No more anonymity for Alexandre Carrier: the Canadiens defenseman had a summer like no other - TVA Sports

"On Friday night, we went to the Lasso festival. I was walking through the crowd and I could hear people chanting, 'Carrier! Carrier! Carrier!'" said the 28-year-old athlete, met at the Brossard sports complex on Monday at noon.

"It's the kind of thing that has never happened to me. Before, I didn't get recognized at all," he continued. I needed a slight adjustment. It was a different summer."

 

 

"It shows how tightly knit this group is. It also says a lot about how we're treated. Everyone wants to stay here," he added.

The example of the captain
The fact that Suzuki chose to move to Montreal and stay there almost 12 months a year has certainly prompted many of his teammates to do the same