The Montreal Canadiens' season started with a spark - a few gutsy wins on the road, some early flashes of promise - but as we hit December, the shine has worn off. November was rough. The team’s recent slide has exposed some deeper issues, and while fans are frustrated with the on-ice product, the spotlight is starting to shift toward the bench.
There was one bright spot last month: Juraj Slafkovsky. Since moving down to the second line, the 2022 first-overall pick has looked more comfortable and more confident.
He’s playing with pace, he’s making smarter reads, and he’s starting to use his size more effectively. But beyond that, it’s been a tough stretch.
The goaltending has cratered, the defense looks disorganized, and the scoring has dried up. And yet, there hasn’t been much scrutiny directed at the coaching staff - at least not publicly.
Martin St. Louis looked visibly frustrated after Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to Ottawa - maybe more than we’ve ever seen from him.
And you can understand why. This is the first season where expectations are real.
The rebuild isn’t over, but the Canadiens are supposed to be competitive now. Instead, they’re sliding, and the pressure is starting to mount on St.
Louis. For the first time in his tenure, the question isn’t just about development - it’s about results.
But St. Louis isn’t the only one under the microscope.
Goalie coach Éric Raymond has to be part of the conversation. Samuel Montembeault hasn’t looked like the same player he was last season, and Jakub Dobeš, after a strong start, has struggled to maintain consistency.
Goaltending is a position built on rhythm and confidence, and right now, neither of those are present. Coaching doesn’t explain everything, but it’s fair to wonder whether Raymond’s approach is connecting with his netminders.
Then there’s the defense. Stéphane Robidas is overseeing a blue line that looks completely out of sync.
The Habs’ defensive zone coverage has been a mess - missed assignments, blown breakouts, and a general lack of structure. It's not just about talent; it’s about positioning, communication, and execution.
And too often, Montreal’s defense looks like it’s guessing. That’s a red flag.
What makes this even more frustrating is that the Canadiens do have skill. The core is young and talented - Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, Lane Hutson - there’s no shortage of offensive upside.
But this group isn’t built to grind games out physically, and that’s been a lingering concern. It showed up in last year’s brief playoff appearance, when Tom Wilson and the Capitals pushed them around.
It’s not about fighting or dropping the gloves - it’s about winning puck battles, finishing checks, and playing with a physical edge.
Slafkovsky, at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, has the frame to be a difference-maker in that department. And to his credit, he’s been more engaged physically since moving off the top line.
But he’s still not playing like a power forward - not yet. He’s got the tools, but he hasn’t quite figured out how to use them consistently.
Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher were supposed to bring that edge, but both have lost a step. Anderson’s speed isn’t translating into chances, and Gallagher’s body has taken a beating over the years. They’re still leaders in the room, but they can’t be expected to carry the physical load anymore.
That’s where guys like Florian Xhekaj come in. He’s brought some bite to the lineup, and his older brother Arber is still one of the most physical players on the team.
But even Arber’s game has plateaued, especially in his own zone. And again, that circles back to coaching.
Why haven’t St. Louis and Robidas been able to clean up some of those recurring mistakes?
The Canadiens are in a tricky spot. The talent is there, but the execution isn’t.
The energy feels off, and the systems look shaky. And while the players deserve their share of the blame, the coaching staff has to answer some tough questions too.
Because if this team is going to take the next step - if they’re really going to be part of the playoff picture - things have to change. Fast.