The Montreal Canadiens have turned heads across the NHL with a stunning rise over the past two seasons. After finishing tied for second in the Atlantic Division, they clawed through the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres—winning both series in Game 7 on the road—before getting steamrolled by the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. That five-game beatdown wasn’t just a loss; it was a wake-up call that left the organization scrambling for answers.
According to sources close to the team, the Habs’ inability to break out of their own zone against Carolina’s relentless forecheck exposed a glaring weakness. Defensemen like Jaccob Slavin, K’Andre Miller, and Shayne Gostisbehere effortlessly picked apart Montreal’s breakout attempts, feeding pucks to Hurricanes forwards who peppered goalie Jakub Dobes. One insider described the series as “a masterclass in how to exploit a team that isn’t built for playoff pressure.”
Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and rookie sensation Lane Hutson are the core pieces, and head coach Marty St. Louis is reportedly optimistic about their trajectory. But behind the scenes, sources say St. Louis is pushing for major roster surgery—starting between the pipes and on the blue line.
Goaltending Shake-Up: Dobes and Fowler Take Over—Montembeault Out?
Sam Montembeault entered the 2024-25 season as the undisputed No. 1 goalie, posting career-best numbers. But his 2025-26 campaign was nothing short of a catastrophe. Montembeault stumbled out of the gate and never recovered, finishing with a brutal 10-8-4 record, a 3.43 goals-against average, and a .873 save percentage. St. Louis had no choice but to hand the reins to Dobes, who thrived with a 29-10-4 mark, a 2.78 GAA, and a .901 save percentage.
The real buzz, however, is about Jacob Fowler. The 22-year-old netminder logged 17 regular-season games, posting a 2.43 GAA and a .908 save percentage, and is reportedly expected to slide into the backup role next season. Insiders claim Fowler’s playoff reps were minimal—just eight minutes of mop-up duty—but his potential has the front office reportedly convinced he could become the franchise goalie down the line.
That leaves Montembeault as the odd man out. His trade value is at rock bottom, but the Canadiens are reportedly shopping him to desperate teams, hoping to recoup a mid-round pick or a struggling prospect. One league executive told us, “Montembeault’s numbers are a red flag, but his track record might get him a second chance somewhere. Montreal has to move on.”
Blue Line Overhaul: Is a Big-Name Addition Coming?
Montreal’s forward group looks set—Suzuki centering Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky on the top line, with Jake Evans anchoring a gritty second line featuring playoff hero Alex Newhook and Ivan Demidov. The third line, led by Phillip Danault, is solid. But the defense, sources say, remains the team’s Achilles’ heel.
The top pairing of Hutson and Noah Dobson is electric, and Mike Matheson and Jayden Struble provide steady support. But the third pairing of Kaiden Guhle and Alexandre Carrier is, in the words of one scout, “good enough for the regular season, but not built for the punishment of a seven-game series against a powerhouse like Carolina.”
General Manager Kent Hughes is reportedly exploring the trade market and free agency for an upgrade. The name floating around most? A high-priced veteran defenseman who can eat minutes and move the puck under pressure. Hughes has historically avoided trading for expiring contracts, but insiders claim he’s reconsidering after seeing how close this team is. “He knows the window is opening,” one source said. “If they add the right piece, this team could win the Cup next year.”
The biggest wild card is prospect David Reinbacher. The 20-year-old blue-liner is reportedly NHL-ready, and Hughes may decide to promote him instead of spending big. But the clock is ticking—Montreal hasn’t won a Stanley Cup since 1993, and the fan base is growing impatient. “We’re not waiting another 30 years,” one season-ticket holder told us. “It’s now or never.”
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