The Montreal Canadiens have officially announced their 2025-26 opening night roster, finalizing the 22 players who will begin the season with the team. Following a series of pre-season games and some tough decisions, the Canadiens are set to face their long-time rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, in their season opener.
Roster Composition
The roster breakdown includes 13 forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders.
- Forwards: Josh Anderson, Zachary Bolduc, Cole Caufield, Kirby Dach, Ivan Demidov, Jake Evans, Brendan Gallagher, Oliver Kapanen, Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook, Juraj Slafkovský, Nick Suzuki, and Joe Veleno.
- Defensemen: Alexandre Carrier, Noah Dobson, Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Jayden Struble, and Arber Xhekaj.
- Goaltenders: Jakub Dobeš and Samuel Montembeault.
Roster Moves and Surprises
Several moves were made to finalize the roster. Owen Beck, Adam Engström and Florian Xhekaj were assigned to the Laval Rocket. Goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen and forward Sammy Blais were placed on waivers. Blais was later claimed by Toronto.
The inclusion of Oliver Kapanen and Joe Veleno on the opening night roster was a noteworthy development. Kapanen is expected to play a middle-six center role, while Veleno will start as the team's 13th forward.
Injured and Non-Roster Players
Defensemen David Reinbacher and William Trudeau are currently injured and not on the active roster. Reinbacher is expected to be out for a few weeks with a broken hand, while Trudeau is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle. Gannon Laroque is also listed as injured or non-roster.
Line Combinations
While the official lineup is yet to be confirmed, the Canadiens' recent practice sessions have provided insights into potential line combinations. Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovský are expected to form the first line. Other potential combinations include Jake Evans, Josh Anderson and Patrik Laine, as well as Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov. On defense, Mike Matheson is likely to be paired with Noah Dobson, while Kaiden Guhle could team up with Lane Hutson. Arber Xhekaj may form a duo with Alexandre Carrier.
Expectations for the Season
Following the acquisition of defenseman Noah Dobson, expectations are high for the Canadiens this season. The team aims to not only make the playoffs but also make a significant run. The coaching staff and management believe that this group of players has the potential to achieve those goals.
Additional Notes
The Canadiens will enter the season opener with $5.5 million in cap space, providing them with some flexibility for future additions. Lane Hutson, the 2025 Calder Trophy winner, is entering the final year of his entry-level contract. Contract negotiations between Hutson and the Canadiens have been placed on hold.
