Predicting regression in hockey is a tricky business, especially with a young and developing team like the Montreal Canadiens. Several factors can contribute, including increased opponent attention, natural statistical variance, injuries, or simply the challenges of sustained high performance. As the Canadiens look toward the 2025-26 season, here are a few players who might be candidates to take a step back from their performance in the preceding year:

Jake Evans: Evans is a reliable player. He plays a valuable role, but a repeat of an over-performing season isn't a sure thing. If some of the Canadiens' younger centers emerge, Evans could see his ice time reduced, impacting his offensive output.

Josh Anderson: Anderson's name frequently comes up in discussions about potential regression. While he brings a physical presence and some offensive upside, his consistency has been a concern. If Anderson fails to find a consistent scoring touch, his overall impact could diminish.

Brendan Gallagher: The veteran forward had a strong bounce-back year. However, given his age and history of injuries, expecting him to maintain that level of production in the 2025-26 season might be optimistic. While his grit and leadership are valuable, his offensive contributions could decline.

Samuel Montembeault: After establishing himself as the clear number one goalie, Montembeault had a great season with a record of 31-24-7, a .902 save percentage, and a 2.80 goals-against average. Repeating such a strong performance is always a challenge for goalies. The team defense in front of him will play a significant role, but a slight dip in individual stats wouldn't be surprising. The emergence of Jakub Dobes could also influence Montembeault's playing time.

Juraj Slafkovsky: While Slafkovsky took a solid step forward, another jump in production isn't guaranteed. The young forward has shown great potential, but consistency is key for young players. There may be more pressure and attention from opposing teams, so he may not reach higher statistically.

It's important to emphasize that "regression" doesn't necessarily mean these players will become ineffective or bad. Instead, it suggests that maintaining their exact level of performance from the 2024-25 season might be difficult. Development isn't always linear, and fluctuations are a natural part of a player's career arc. For the Canadiens, the key will be to manage expectations and support these players as they continue to grow and contribute to the team's overall success. Also, the emergence of prospects like Ivan Demidov, Owen Beck and Jacob Fowler joining the team could impact the performance and roles of current players.