Montreal Canadiens Players Heading Into Make or Break Seasons

Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Montreal Canadiens have an improved roster. Additions like Zachary Bolduc and Noah Dobson, as well as the arrival of Ivan Demidov, have given Habs fans reason for excitement. However, there are still several question marks on the team. A handful of players are heading into pivotal seasons and either need to bounce back or prove themselves this year. Let’s take a look at which Montreal Canadiens are entering a make-or-break season.

Kirby Dach 

This year is the definition of a make-or-break season for forward Kirby Dach. The 24-year-old has had an injury-riddled career thus far. This past season, he was coming off a major injury that kept him out for the entirety of the 2023-24 season. However, last year he struggled to regain his footing, managing only 22 points in 57 games before going down with yet another injury. 

Dach has demonstrated that he can utilize his large frame and skill set to dominate the middle of the ice. However, it’s unclear whether he can ever find that form again. He’s heading into a contract year and will begin the year as the team’s number two center. Dach will be playing with elite young players like Bolduc and Demidov, and he will need to show that he can fill the team’s hole down the middle, as this is likely his last opportunity with the Canadiens before he is replaced.

Alex Newhook 

After coming over from Colorado for a pair of picks, Alex Newhook was expected to be a promising young player for Montreal. His high-level speed and solid shot gave reason for optimism amongst the Canadiens brass. However, he has struggled to find his offensive touch in Montreal despite receiving largely top-six minutes. Newhook posted only 26 points last season over a full 82 games. This year, he will likely be playing on the team’s third line as well as being shifted to the wing. If he can’t find some offense, the Canadiens likely opt to replace him in favour of a bigger, more versatile middle-six forward. 

Patrik Laine 

It’s no secret that Laine has had his fair share of struggles throughout his career. The former second-overall pick and 40-goal scorer has had some success in the NHL. However, he has bounced around and struggled with injuries and finding consistency. Now in Montreal, Laine had hoped to revitalize his career. Sadly, a preseason injury this past year would derail those hopes before they ever began. Upon his return in early December, Laine was scoring in bunches on the power play. However, his pace and five-on-five play left much to be desired. Laine will need to find a way to make an impact at even strength, both with and without the puck. If he fails to do so, the Canadiens will let him and his 8.7 million cap hit come off the books as he hits free agency this summer. 

Arber Xhekaj

Arber Xhekaj is one of the most enticing Canadiens players. A heavyweight with a booming shot, some offensive skill, and skating ability to boot is a rare breed in the NHL. Xhekaj has proven his prowess when dropping the mitts and has won over the hearts of fans. He’s struggled to do the same with head coach Martin St. Louis, however.

Xhekaj’s lack of discipline has often cost the Canadiens, and in turn, he’s been given a shorter leash. He has been a healthy scratch as well as being returned to Laval in 2023-24. When he has been in the lineup, he seems afraid to make mistakes and is a shell of the player we first saw donning a Canadiens uniform. With the addition of Dobson as well as the imminent arrival of prospect David Reinbacher, Xhekaj will need to prove his worth in the Canadiens’ defensive group before he becomes expendable. 

Joe Veleno

Veleno was signed to a one-year deal by the Canadiens earlier in July. The hometown product has struggled to carve out a role and find his offensive touch at the NHL level. Now 25 years old, Veleno will be given the biggest opportunity of his career thus far in Montreal. The Canadiens ideally want him to play down the middle as the team’s third-line centerman, at least in the short term. However, he will be tasked with winning a spot in training camp over young rookies in Oliver Kapanen and Owen Beck. This will likely be Veleno’s best and last opportunity to become an impact player in the NHL. He has everything to prove heading into training camp.