Montreal Canadiens 2025-26 Offseason Wishlist: Addressing Key Needs for a Playoff Contender

The Montreal Canadiens are entering the 2025-26 offseason in a much more promising position than this time last year. After selecting Ivan Demidov fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and acquiring impactful players like Patrik Laine and Alexandre Carrier via trades, the Canadiens not only improved their roster but also returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

What once looked like a rebuilding phase has now shifted toward a genuine push to become a dangerous playoff contender. While the core is starting to gel, there remain important areas Montreal must address to build on their recent success.

A Right-Shot Defenseman to Complement Lane Hutson

The standout story from last season was rookie Lane Hutson, whose phenomenal play will likely earn him the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. Hutson single-handedly transformed Montreal’s weak defensive corps with his poise, skating, and playmaking ability. His emergence was a huge boost to a team that had struggled to stop opponents and control games from their own end.

Despite Hutson’s breakout, the Canadiens faced a consistent challenge pairing him with a reliable and steady defensive partner. Multiple players got a look beside Hutson during the season, with Kaiden Guhle and Jayden Struble standing out as the most promising options.

However, both are left-handed shot defensemen, which isn’t ideal for long-term pairing with Hutson, who shoots left himself. Guhle, in particular, is better suited to playing on his natural left side, where he can be most effective.

The lack of a right-shot defenseman to anchor the other side of the pairing limited Hutson’s impact and overall defensive efficiency. Ideally, Montreal needs to acquire or develop a right-handed blueliner who can balance Hutson’s style and allow both players to maximize their strengths. A reliable right-shot defender will help solidify Montreal’s blue line, improve defensive zone coverage, and enable smoother puck movement from the back end.

Why This Matters for Montreal

The NHL has increasingly shown the importance of balanced defensive pairings. Left-right shot combinations allow for better positioning in both offensive and defensive situations.

Having a right-shot partner will give Hutson the freedom to join the rush, make plays, and control the game without overexposing the Canadiens defensively.

Montreal’s offseason strategy should focus on targeting a right-shot defenseman either through free agency, trades, or internal development. This move would create a more complete and dangerous defensive unit and complement the young core already in place.

Looking Ahead

With their recent additions and young talent, the Canadiens are on the cusp of transitioning from playoff hopefuls to serious contenders.

Addressing their defensive pairings—specifically by adding a right-shot defenseman to pair with Hutson—will be crucial in making that leap.

As the Canadiens continue to build, this offseason will be pivotal in shaping a team capable of sustainedpostseason success.