The Montreal Canadiens 2024-25 season has come to a close, and Canadiens fans can now look forward to the playoffs. This will mark the first time the Habs have earned a playoff berth since their magical run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021. This young Montreal team harnessed some of that magic again this year. The Canadiens season has been a rollercoaster but has also been nothing short of magical and gives the team a lot of hope for the future of the organization. There have been some ups and downs for some individual players throughout this season. Let’s take a look at some of the Montreal Canadiens players and analyze their seasons.
Montreal Canadiens Superlatives
Montreal Candiens Breakout Player: Lane Hutson
Canadiens rookie Lane Hutson has been nothing short of spectacular this season. The 20-year-old broke a franchise record for points by a rookie blueliner, which was originally held by Chris Chelios. Hutson managed six goals and 66 points on the campaign. This was third on the Canadiens and seventh among all NHL defensemen. His 60 assists tied him with Larry Murphy for the all-time rookie defenseman record in that department. He has also paced all rookies in points, beating out the likes of Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov on the way to what is likely a Calder Trophy win. Hutson’s historic rookie campaign has been one of the main reasons the Canadiens are back in the postseason, and as such, he has been the Canadiens’ breakout player this year.
Most Surprising Player: Brendan Gallagher
The most surprising player for the Montreal Canadiens this season has been their longest-serving member. Brendan Gallagher found his scoring touch of old this season as he recorded his first 20-goal campaign since 2019-20. His 21 goals and 38 points are both his best totals since that season. This is in large part due to his health, as he recorded his second straight healthy campaign, appearing in all 82 games this season. His injury struggles have been a big reason for the drop-off in recent years. But at 32, Brendan Gallagher seems to have rediscovered his offensive game for the Canadiens. Josh Anderson also deserves an honorable mention, as his play in the second half of the year has really helped spark the Canadiens.
Most Disappointing Player: Kirby Dach
Despite a great season for Montreal, there have also been some downsides. After missing the entire 2023-24 season due to injury, Kirby Dach made his return this year. There were some big expectations placed on Dach to break out into the team’s second-line scoring center. However, he struggled out of the gates this year and never really regained his confidence offensively. He managed only 22 points in 57 games. To make matters worse, Dach suffered another major injury, which kept him out for the final two months of the year. After another setback, there are questions about Dach’s future with Montreal and whether or not he can ever become an effective top-six player for the Canadiens.
Most Valuable Player: Nick Suzuki
The Montreal Canadiens most valuable player this season is none other than their captain, Nick Suzuki. Suzuki put the Canadiens on his back following the conclusion of the four-nation faceoff. He was one of the most dominant players in the NHL down the stretch for Montreal. He hit the 30-goal mark for the second straight year and notched a new career high with 89 points. Suzuki is the first point-per-game player the Canadiens have had in almost two decades. His totals ranked him in the top 20 across the NHL. Suzuki’s play dragged the team across the finish line and showed why he was named Montreal’s captain. His elite play at both ends of the puck, as well as his leadership on and off the ice, have made him the Canadiens MVP this season.
Main photo by: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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