The Montreal Canadiens' rebuild has been a focal point for the organization and its fans, with the team even showcasing the process in their docuseries, 'The Rebuild: Inside the Montreal Canadiens'. As the 2025-26 season progresses, the success of this rebuild hinges significantly on the performance and consistency of the Canadiens' second line.
In today's NHL, depth is paramount. Championship teams are built on multiple strong lines, not just a single dominant one. A reliable second line provides crucial secondary scoring, offers the coaching staff strategic options, and allows for better management of player minutes. For the Canadiens, establishing a dependable second line is vital as they transition from rebuilding to competing.
The composition of that second line, however, remains a key question. While the first line, centered around Nick Suzuki with Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, has solidified its place, the second line has seen various iterations. A consistent second line would spread out the opposition's defense, preventing them from solely focusing on Suzuki and Caufield.
Several players are in contention for a spot on the second line. Kirby Dach, acquired with high expectations, has been given opportunities to prove himself as a top-six center. However, his performance has been inconsistent, and injuries have hampered his development. In six NHL seasons, Dach has only once played more than 58 games in a single season. As of late 2025, Dach's scoring rate had dropped, raising doubts about his ability to thrive as the Canadiens' number two center.
Other potential options include Alex Newhook and Oliver Kapanen, though there are questions as to whether they are long-term solutions. General Manager Kent Hughes has made moves to improve the team's overall quality, acquiring players like Noah Dobson and Zack Bolduc. The acquisition of Ivan Demidov is also expected to boost the team. The team also has Patrik Laine.
The Canadiens' management is aware of the need to solidify the second line. The team recognizes that a strong second line not only provides depth scoring but also creates matchup advantages and sustains offensive pressure. The development and deployment of a credible second line will be a defining factor in determining how quickly the Canadiens move from being a promising young team to a legitimate playoff contender.
