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We gotta give Josh Anderson some love

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Jan 18, 2026 2:58 PM ET

If the Canadiens have been able to enjoy success since the start of the season, it’s partly because the support players are doing their job.

There’s no passenger in the club, the top-6 players are producing, those on the third and fourth lines are able to fulfill their roles in the right way… And that makes a difference.

There are guys behind the scenes who are having great seasons. And here, I’m thinking especially of Josh Anderson… who seems to be back to being the player we once saw in Montreal.

It started in the playoffs last year and has carried over into this season, but we’re seeing the Josh Anderson of old.

We see the Josh Anderson who skates and uses his body to piss off the opposition. We see the involved Josh Anderson we love, capable of scoring goals with his skills.

Andy is on a 19-goal pace at the moment. And if he can keep up the pace and put in as many between now and the end of the season, no one in Montreal can complain.

3 goals in his last 4 games for Anderson
Season projection is 19 goals for him right now
(His high with the Habs is 21)

– Guillaume Villemaire (@GVillemaire13) January 18, 2026

Josh Anderson is really playing like a guy who wants to send a message to the organization right now.

He wants to prove to management that he can help the club… and it comes at a perfect time because the main player is nearing the end of his contract. Anderson is in the sixth year (of seven) of a contract that currently pays him $5.5 million per season…

There’s been a lot of criticism of Anderson in recent years and, speaking of his contract, we’ve all been saying that he was costing the organization too much for what he was bringing to the table.

But right now, he’s worth every penny. Anderson has understood that he has to give more every night, because he has the style to help the Canadiens on the ice, and that’s where we see how important he can be for the club.

He brings toughness and speed to the lineup, he plays an important role in the power play, and he’s able to capitalize on his scoring chances. And he’s been so important to the Habs lately.

So much the better, if the Josh Anderson of the good old days is back. The Habs need a player like him in the lineup, after all… and that’s why you’ve got to give him some love right now.

Overtime

– It worked.

On this day four years ago, longtime NHL agent and Beaconsfield, QC native Kent Hughes was named the 18th general manager in Montreal Canadiens history.

In his first press conference, he said:

“We’re going to create a modern organization that players want to be a part of.” pic.twitter.com/0xGKHqY9Vz

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 18, 2026

– I love it.

You know you’re down bad as an NHL fanbase when you’re asking your team to play James Reimer in 2026 pic.twitter.com/jsdzJs3n7Q

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 18, 2026

– Nice set for RNH.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is set to become the first player to reach 1,000 games solely in an Oilers uniform

: Blues vs. Oilers TONIGHT at 8pm ET / 6pm MT on Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/cw1QN1DBbJ

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 18, 2026