Following a first-round elimination in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens are walking into a new NHL season with revamped hopes. With Cole Caufield and Patrik Laine leading the attack, the Habs have enough reasons to believe. However, as preseason looms closer, the Canadiens could miss a key weapon.
The Canadiens‘ mindset going into the 2025-26 NHL season is not like the typical for a team bounced in the opening stage of the playoffs. For the Habs, making the party was all they could ask for. But they’ve evolved. Last year’s ceiling is now the floor.
Montreal boasts a lineup capable of coming out alive of a stacked Atlantic Division. Whether it can hold its ground come playoff time, that’s a different story. Laine, Caufield, and company definitely think—or hope—they can. Words are wind, nevertheless, they must be validated on the ice.
On that note, the Habs must take every opportunity to build chemistry and put the final pieces together for the 2025–26 roster. It might be easier said than done, though. As reports hint, center Kirby Dach is trending toward missing the start of training camp in the City of Saints.
“Five months after knee surgery, Kirby Dach still isn’t ready and will likely miss training camp,” as stated by Maxime Truman on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro.
Two sides to the story
While reports of Dach suffering a setback in his rehab after a surgical procedure on his knee were terrible news for Laine and company, others believe it’s still too early to discard Dach’s availability on training camp.
“It was never guaranteed Kirby Dach would be ready for the start of training camp, and it is also premature to suggest he won’t be,” Sportsnet’s Eric Engels said. “Not only has he not had a setback, he’s progressing really well and, according to my sources, is crushing his summer training.”
Place your money elsewhere
As it’s been commonplace throughout his entire NHL career, the spotlight is on Laine. The elite sniper is now entering a make-or-break year, as he will have the opportunity to showcase his skill to the Habs and the rest of the league before becoming an UFA in the summer of 2026.
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In case anybody is praying on his downfall, Laine dropped a blunt statement. “Those who bet against me will lose their money,” Laine said, via The Rebuild: Inside the Montreal Canadiens.