Inside the Canadiens’ War Room: A Bold Look at the Potential 2025 Lineup…Read More…
As the dust settles on a dramatic offseason and Development Camp winds to a close, anticipation is boiling over in Montreal. With fresh faces arriving, veterans on the bubble, and prospects knocking on the door, the Canadiens’ front office is burning the midnight oil. Inside the Canadiens’ war room, decisions are being made that could define the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.
From goaltending to the top line, every position is under scrutiny. With a promising mix of youth and experience, the question on everyone’s mind is clear: What will the 2025 Montreal Canadiens lineup actually look like?
Goaltending: Primeau vs. Montembeault—A Battle Brewing
There’s no question that goaltending is the foundation of any successful NHL campaign. In 2025, the Canadiens may finally have a genuine goaltending controversy—not from a lack of talent, but from an abundance of it.
Samuel Montembeault, now 28, remains the presumed starter, but Cayden Primeau is making a strong case to challenge that notion. Primeau’s exceptional performance at the end of last season, coupled with a rock-solid showing at Development Camp, has the coaching staff rethinking the depth chart.
Head coach Martin St. Louis has kept his cards close to the vest but hinted that both goalies will “get every opportunity to earn their role.” A potential tandem setup could be in the works, much like what teams like Boston and Vegas employed in recent seasons.
Top Defensive Pairings: Youth Movement in Full Swing
Montreal’s blue line is set to look quite different than it did even a year ago. Kaiden Guhle has cemented himself as a pillar of the Canadiens’ defense, and he’ll likely be paired with either David Savard, bringing leadership and grit, or the newly elevated Logan Mailloux, who impressed throughout the AHL season and during camp.
Lane Hutson, the dynamic American blueliner drafted in 2022, is expected to start the season on the NHL roster. Hutson’s creativity, puck movement, and offensive instincts could inject life into Montreal’s power play—something the Canadiens desperately need.
Projected Defensive Pairings:
- Guhle – Savard/Mailloux
- Hutson – Harris
- Xhekaj – Kovacevic
Veterans like Mike Matheson may slide in or out depending on trade developments, as GM Kent Hughes is reportedly fielding calls on several defenders to free up space for the youth surge.
Forwards: A Clash of Eras and Styles
Perhaps the most exciting—and controversial—debate surrounds the forward lines. With a healthy mix of returning veterans, breakout stars, and surging prospects, St. Louis faces tough choices.
Top Line: Suzuki – Caufield – Roy?
Captain Nick Suzuki and sniper Cole Caufield are locks. But who fills that third slot? In a twist gaining serious traction, Joshua Roy could earn top-line duties out of camp. The young winger was electric during the scrimmage and has shown chemistry with Suzuki in prior appearances.
However, the door is also open for newly acquired free agent Anthony Duclair, whose speed and experience could complement Suzuki’s playmaking and Caufield’s finish.
Second Line: Dach Returns
Kirby Dach, whose season was cut short in 2024 due to injury, is expected to return with a vengeance. Slated to center the second line, Dach could line up with Juraj Slafkovský, the ever-improving 2022 No. 1 pick, and perhaps Duclair or Sean Monahan, depending on the balance needed between offense and responsible two-way play.
Projected Second Line:
- Slafkovský – Dach – Duclair/Monahan
Bottom Six: Tough Choices Loom
With players like Jake Evans, Brendan Gallagher, Raphaël Harvey-Pinard, and Alex Newhook all in the mix, the third and fourth lines are far from settled. Gallagher’s leadership remains invaluable, but his foot speed has declined. Harvey-Pinard has shown consistency and work ethic and could see expanded minutes if he continues to outpace expectations.
Look out for Owen Beck and Filip Mesar, who are both pushing hard for full-time roster spots. Mesar, in particular, dazzled fans during the Development Camp with his speed and agility.
Projected Third Line:
- Harvey-Pinard – Monahan – Gallagher
Projected Fourth Line:
- Newhook – Evans – Armia/Beck
Power Play and Special Teams: A New Era Begins
Expect significant changes to the Canadiens’ special teams under new assistant coach Patrice Brisebois. The power play, once a liability, could become a weapon with Hutson quarterbacking from the point and Caufield setting up in his patented left-circle one-timer position.
Penalty killing remains anchored by Evans and Suzuki, with Guhle and Harris likely to see the most ice time among defensemen in shorthanded situations.
Conclusion: Expect Fireworks, and Expect the Unexpected
Montreal is on the brink of an identity shift. While some veterans still hold key roles, the youth movement is surging, and the competition is fierce. The 2025 Canadiens will not be the same team that limped through stretches of 2024. They will be faster, more dynamic, and less predictable.
Martin St. Louis and Kent Hughes have preached patience, but also boldness. As decisions are finalized behind closed doors, one thing is clear: the Canadiens’ war room is buzzing. And when the puck drops this fall, fans in Montreal may witness the dawn of a thrilling new era.
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