Two young Canadiens already made noise in 2025-26, and there’s a good chance both of them take another step when 2026-27 rolls around.
Montreal has no shortage of promising talent, so the idea that a few players could level up again next season doesn’t feel like much of a reach. The two names that stand out here are Ivan Demidov and Jacob Fowler, both of whom flashed plenty of upside in their first extended looks with the club.
Demidov’s rookie season gave the Canadiens exactly the kind of production they were hoping for. In 82 games in 2025-26, the 20-year-old piled up 19 goals, 43 assists, and 62 points.
Those numbers already locked him into a major role in Montreal’s top six, but he’s still just getting started. Entering his second full season with the Habs, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if his offensive totals climb again.
There’s a lot to like in his game, and the ceiling is obvious: he has the potential to develop into a superstar.
Fowler made his own strong first impression in goal. In his first 17 NHL games with Montreal in 2025-26, he went 9-6-2 with a .908 save percentage, a 2.43 goals-against average, and one shutout.
For a 21-year-old goalie getting his first taste of NHL action, he looked composed and comfortable right away. That kind of start usually gets attention, and it’s easy to see how he could raise his game even more next season.
In Other News...
Canadiens Fans Know One Jersey Debate Should Already Be Over
The Canadiens have never exactly lacked for sweater options, which is part of why a recent list from The Athletic left Montreal out of the nostalgia conversation altogether. With so many iconic looks already in the clubs history, and with the current classic design still carrying so much weight, there is a strong case that the most recognizable Canadiens jersey is also the one fans already want to see most often.
Montreal has tried its share of alternates over the years, from centennial and Winter Classic specials to other one-off throwbacks, with reception that has ranged from enthusiastic to lukewarm. The one design many supporters would rather forget is the powder blue reverse retro, a tribute to the long-gone Expos that became tied as much to ugly results as to the cross-sport nod. For a franchise built on tradition, the debate may already be settled. [Read more 🡒]
Flames Still Face A Blue Line Question After Latest Rumors
The latest chatter around Arber Xhekaj has kept Montreal in the middle of one of those summer conversations that can linger far longer than anyone expects. Calgary has shown interest in the defenseman, but the Flames have also added Jake Middleton, which gives the situation a different feel than a simple need-based pursuit. From the Canadiens side, Xhekaj remains the kind of player that draws attention because of his mix of edge and mobility, and any talk about moving him immediately turns into a bigger discussion about how Montreal values its blue line.
What makes the story more interesting is the price tag the Canadiens would be looking for if they ever decided to seriously entertain a deal. Montreal is not treating Xhekaj like a spare part, and that matters in a market where rumors can outrun reality pretty quickly. For a team trying to keep building a sturdier defense, the question is not just who wants him, but whether the return would be worth changing the makeup of the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Stars Suddenly Have A Larkin Question Fans Can't Ignore
Around the league, the Canadiens keep surfacing in conversations tied to possible trade targets, and the latest chatter centers on a Columbus forward whose name has started to come up for Montreal if the Blue Jackets ever seriously entertain moving him. The fit is easy to see from a Canadiens perspective, but so is the catch: speculation is one thing, matching the asking price is another, especially with the market for restricted free agents changing the way teams value young talent.
Dylan Larkin has added another layer to the noise, with reports suggesting he would accept a move to certain clubs, but the salary cap and the cost in assets still make any deal complicated. For Montreal, that keeps the discussion in the realm of rumor and possibility rather than momentum, and it leaves the real question hanging in the background of all this buzz: whether the Canadiens can put together the kind of package Columbus would actually want. [Read more 🡒]