The Montreal Canadiens' 2025-26 season was a remarkable achievement, marked by numerous milestones and record-breaking performances. The team's success can be attributed to the leadership and talent of its players, with a particular focus on Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidov, and Jakub Dobes.
Suzuki, the captain, had a career-best season, becoming the first player in 40 years to reach the 100-point plateau. His 537 consecutive games played rank him second in the NHL among active players. Suzuki's linemate, Caufield, lit the lamp 51 times, becoming the first player in 36 years to hit the half-century mark in goals. Caufield's 88 points in 2025-26 mark his ascension into point-per-game production, while his 29 go-ahead goals were the second-highest figure for a single season in League history.
Slafkovsky, the first-overall pick from 2022, continued to impress with his first 30-goal campaign and a career-best 43 assists for 73 points. The towering Slovak became the first Canadiens player to ever record three 50-point seasons before his 22nd birthday, and tied Henri Richard for most career points at age 21 or younger with 163.
Hutson, the 2024-25 Calder Trophy winner, finished fourth among NHL defensemen in points with 78 and third in even-strength points. He tied for second-fewest games to 70 career assists by a defenseman and hit the 100-point milestone in December. Hutson became just the fourth active defenseman to record at least 60 assists in consecutive seasons, and his 66 helpers by season’s end tied Larry Robinson for most by a Canadiens defenseman in a campaign.
Demidov, the rookie of the year, finished first in assists and points this season with 43 and 62, respectively. His 20 power play points were also tops among League freshmen, while his four game-winning goals were tied for second-most among rookies. Demidov was named NHL Rookie of the Month for December after putting up 14 points in 15 games that month.
Dobes, the Czech goalie, led all rookie netminders with 29 wins in 2025-26, posting a 29-10-4 record, 2.78 goals-against average, and .901 save percentage in 43 games. His 6-0-0 record, 1.97 GAA, and .930 SV% in October earned him NHL third star honors for that month. Dobes' 29 wins in 2025-26 are good for fourth-most in franchise history by a rookie goaltender in a single season.
In conclusion, the 2025-26 Canadiens season was a testament to the team's talent and leadership. The players' achievements and milestones will be remembered for years to come, and the team's success is a sign of a bright future for the franchise.
