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The Montreal Canadiens are approaching the 2024-25 NHL season with cautious optimism as they continue their rebuilding process. Despite finishing last in their division the past few seasons, the Canadiens are looking to build momentum with a promising young core and new talent joining the roster. Here’s a breakdown of the key storylines and what to expect from Montreal this season.
At the heart of the Canadiens’ rebuild is their young and dynamic forward group, led by captain Nick Suzuki and sniper Cole Caufield. Suzuki is coming off a career-best season where he tallied 77 points (33 goals, 44 assists), firmly establishing himself as a reliable two-way center and the team’s undisputed leader. Suzuki’s continued development as a top-line center will be critical for the team’s success.
Caufield, despite scoring 28 goals last season, saw a drop in his shooting percentage, which impacted his overall production. His goal-scoring potential remains one of the brightest aspects of Montreal’s offense, and a bounce-back season could see him surpass the 30-goal mark with ease. Together with Juraj Slafkovsky, the 2022 first overall pick, this line has the potential to be one of the most exciting in the Atlantic Division. Slafkovsky, after a rocky start to his career, found his rhythm late last season, posting 42 points in his final 51 games.
The Canadiens’ defensive corps was a major area of concern last season, frequently allowing too many goals and struggling to control possession. However, there is hope in the form of emerging young defensemen. Kaiden Guhle, who signed a long-term extension, is seen as a potential top-pairing defenseman, while Arber Xhekaj provides toughness and stability on the back end.
In net, the Canadiens will rely on Sam Montembeault, who has shown promise but will face the challenge of shouldering the starting role for the first time in his career. Montembeault posted respectable numbers last season with a .903 save percentage, but consistency will be key as he moves into a full-time starting role. Backing him up is Cayden Primeau, who has shown flashes of NHL-caliber play but remains unproven over an extended period. The goaltending situation is one of the biggest question marks heading into the season. Head Coach Martin St. Louis remains a bright spot in the organization, known for his ability to develop young players. Although the team’s record hasn’t improved much during his tenure, St. Louis’ emphasis on process over results has created a nurturing environment for the Canadiens’ prospects. His philosophy of prioritizing a player's ceiling rather than focusing on their floor has paid dividends with players like Suzuki and Caufield.
The Canadiens are still very much a team in transition, and while their top line and young players provide reasons for optimism, the overall roster lacks depth to make a serious playoff push. The defense remains an area in need of improvement, and the goaltending duo of Montembeault and Primeau is largely untested in a starting role.
For Montreal, the 2024-25 season will be more about continued development than immediate success. Fans can expect growing pains, but with a talented young core and prospects like Logan Mailloux and Lane Hutson potentially breaking into the lineup, the future looks bright.
In summary, while the Canadiens are unlikely to compete for a playoff spot this season, the progression of their young stars will be the key storyline. If Suzuki, Caufield, and Slafkovsky can continue their upward trajectory, the team will be well-positioned for a more competitive future.
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