BREAKING: Montreal Canadiens Fall Out of Top 25 in Post-Spring NHL Power Rankings
In a development sure to rattle fans and analysts alike, the Montreal Canadiens have fallen out of the top 25 in the latest post-Spring NHL power rankings. Once a storied franchise built on a legacy of dominance and grit, the Canadiens now find themselves in unfamiliar territory — on the outside looking in.
Despite some promising individual performances and the emergence of a few young talents over the past season, the team’s overall trajectory has taken a dip. The Spring rankings, compiled by a panel of league experts and insiders, reflect both recent on-ice performance and long-term potential — and for Montreal, the numbers just didn’t add up.
Injuries, inconsistent goaltending, and a struggling power play have plagued the Canadiens in recent months. Head coach Martin St. Louis, who has been praised for injecting energy and a player-first culture into the locker room, now faces tough questions about how to rally his team ahead of the offseason.
“We’re disappointed,” St. Louis admitted in a media availability following the rankings release. “We know we have the talent and heart in that room. Now it’s about putting it all together — consistently.”
The Canadiens were previously ranked 22nd in early March, largely buoyed by a brief win streak and strong performances from key players like Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. But a dismal end to the season, including a 2–8 record in their final 10 games, erased any gains and sparked concerns about the team’s direction.
Front office leadership, under GM Kent Hughes, has emphasized a long-term rebuild focused on drafting and development. Still, patience among fans is wearing thin, particularly with rival franchises like Ottawa and Buffalo showing clearer signs of progression.
On social media, reaction has been swift and emotional. “How does a team like Montreal — with all that history — fall this far?” one fan tweeted. Others defended the rebuild, calling for more time and less panic.
As the offseason approaches, pressure will mount for the Canadiens to make key decisions — from potential trades to draft strategy — that could shape the franchise’s outlook for years to come. For now, the fall from the top 25 stands as a sobering reminder: legacy doesn’t guarantee success, and in the modern NHL, every inch of progress must be earned.