Montreal Canadiens Extend Martin St. Louis’ Contract Through 2026–27 Season

The Montreal Canadiens have exercised the two-year option on head coach Martin St. Louis’ contract, securing his position behind the bench through the 2026–27 NHL season.

This decision underscores the team’s commitment to its ongoing rebuilding process and confidence in St. Louis’ leadership.

St. Louis, 48, took over as interim head coach on February 9, 2022, following the dismissal of Dominique Ducharme. He was officially named the 32nd head coach in franchise history on June 1, 2022. Since then, the Canadiens have posted a 75–100–26 record under his guidance. In the 2023–24 season, the team finished with a 30–36–16 record, marking their third consecutive year missing the playoffs.

Despite the team’s struggles, management has expressed strong support for St. Louis. General Manager Kent Hughes praised his ability to reflect on coaching strategies and incorporate feedback, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in the team’s development.

Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton added, “There’s not a day that goes by we’re not happy he’s at the helm.”

Before transitioning to coaching, St. Louis had a distinguished 16-year NHL career, amassing 1,033 points (391 goals, 642 assists) in 1,134 games with the Calgary Flames, Tampa Bay Lightning, and New York Rangers. He won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2004 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.

As the Canadiens continue their rebuild, the extension of St. Louis’ contract signals a long-term vision for the franchise. The team aims to develop young talent and return to playoff contention in the coming seasons. With St. Louis at the helm, Montreal is poised to navigate the challenges ahead and work towards a brighter future.