Injured Canadiens They’ve Missed the Most in 2026-27

Something to note: Kreider has fallen all the way down the lineup since illogically having been placed on the top line to start the season. He was also projected to help the power play, presumably as a net-front presence, but, despite getting 2:13 per game on the man advantage so far, he has zero points thereon, while the special team itself is clicking at just 13.3%.

So, overall, Kreider has disappointed. However, with him signing on for a single season for just $2.15 million, expectations may have been unfairly inflated. He still has a respectable nine points in 19 games. Especially seeing as those points are coming in a relative depth capacity, his contribution so far is nothing at which to really scoff. He still represents a net benefit.

2. Mike Matheson

Say what you want about defenseman Mike Matheson and how his offensive capabilities clash with what is being asked of him in anchoring the team’s penalty kill. With him now having played less than half of the Canadiens’ 20 games (nine), it’s clear the PK is a problem both with and without him (77.9%).

While that suggests the Canadiens don’t exactly miss Matheson, especially with Lane Hutson continuing to produce at an elite pace above him on the depth chart, the extrapolated 10-plus points he’d have were he to have been healthy all this time would healthily rank second among the team’s defensemen. As things stand currently, Noah Dobson hasn’t exactly overwhelmed with his eight assists so far, meaning the Habs could use all the secondary offensive help they can muster from the blue line, even if it’s from a supposed defensive specialist.

1. Ivan Demidov

This entry should be as shocking as the one at No. 4. After finishing second in last year’s Calder Memorial Trophy race, Ivan Demidov was poised to establish himself even more as a member of the Canadiens’ core, especially in the top six, up front. Unfortunately, what has come to be revealed as a fractured ankle initially suffered in the preseason has kept him out since Game 2 of the season.

It’s interesting to note that, despite reportedly playing on the fractured ankle, Demidov helped engineer a four-goal comeback against the Pittsburgh Penguins that game. He assisted on the late 5-4 goal, before scoring the equalizer 24 seconds later (with the Pens going on to salvage the second point in overtime). To be fair, Demidov hadn’t exactly been a factor prior to that point, but it speaks to his ability to be a difference-maker at the flip of a switch. That’s something the Canadiens can’t have too much of, even with the likes of Hutson, Nick Suzuki, and Cole Caufield all remaining healthy for now and continuing to contribute in his absence.

The Canadiens were clearly wrong in their initial prognosis, when they reported Demidov would be out up to four weeks. It’s now been six, with his agent, Dan Milstein, having said it will be a few more before he’s ready. Take it with a grain of salt, though.

However long it takes, the only thing the Canadiens can do is stay patient. Demidov is obviously a big part of the future and the Habs shouldn’t rush it or him at this point. They may appear to be running out of gas, but they’ve also accrued their aforementioned impressive record to earn a place among the top teams in the Atlantic Division and the entire NHL. They can afford the odd disheartening defeat, just as long as they don’t make a habit out of it. Having to make do as they have, it shouldn’t matter how they get the job done, just that they do… and 9-1-3 over their last 13 still looks pretty decent.