Montreal Canadiens' future takes center stage as the NHL season approaches. Will Ivan Demidov emerge as the offensive cornerstone Montreal needs? We dissect the Habs' most intriguing storylines, from Patrik Laine's intense offseason training to Lane Hutson's sophomore expectations. The duo tackles Mike Matheson's crucial contract year and makes bold point predictions for key players. Insights on power play strategies, line combinations, and potential breakout performances offer fans a comprehensive preview of the Canadiens' upcoming campaign. Tune in for expert analysis on how Montreal's young core could reshape the team's fortunes this season.

If the Canadiens can't find a second line centre and Kirby Dach isn't healthy, what will they do? Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba discuss the latest rumblings on Dach's health and availability for the start of the 2025-26 season. Is Kent Hughes simply managing expectations? All of the Habs seem to be practicing a lot. Why are they impossible to keep off the ice? And finally, Sam Montembeault may be the only Quebec-born starting goalie in the NHL this season. Why is that and what can be done to fix it?

Montreal Canadiens' Offseason Buzz: Demidov's rookie year, Hutson's rise, and Habs defensive dilemmas Laura Saba breaks down the Montreal Canadiens' hottest storylines heading into the new season. From Ivan Demidov's highly-anticipated rookie campaign to Lane Hutson's sophomore surge, the Habs' offensive firepower takes center stage. The host tackles fan expectations, dissects potential issues with the second-line center and bottom-six penalty kill, and explores how Noah Dobson could reshape the blueline. Plus, get the inside scoop on Patrik Laine's quest to silence critics and the team's defensive outlook for 2025-2026. Tune in for expert analysis on the Canadiens' path to success and find out if they have the pieces to make a deep playoff run this year.

Montreal Canadiens' Summer Shakeup: Blockbuster Trade Brewing? Nick Suzuki's Leadership Evolution Kent Hughes keeps fans guessing as trade rumors swirl around the Montreal Canadiens. Laura Saba and guest Kay Imam dissect potential moves, from a game-changing blockbuster to a strategic third-line center acquisition. They explore expectations for the upcoming season, balancing optimism with the realities of a competitive division. The duo praises Nick Suzuki's community engagement and French-learning efforts, showcasing his growth as captain. Plus, could Florian Xhekaj crack the roster out of training camp? Tune in for insider perspectives on the Habs' offseason strategy and player development. Will Hughes pull off another late-summer stunner?

Montreal Canadiens' prospect pipeline: A game-changer for the Habs' future? Patrik Bexell from Habs Eyes on the Prize breaks down the Montreal Canadiens' Top 25 Under 25 rankings, and then provides insights into rising rookies like Aatos Koivu and Adam Engstrom. The discussion covers Koivu's Finnish Liiga performance, Engstrom's defensive development, and Vinzenz Rohrer's leadership qualities. Bexell offers insider perspectives on the Canadiens' patient approach to prospect development, particularly for defensemen and goalies. Will the Habs' current crop of prospects reshape the team's fortunes? Tune in for expert analysis on Montreal's path to success and the potential impact of these young guns on the NHL stage.

As Montreal Canadiens trade rumors heat up, a listener asks if Ryan O'Reilly could emerge as potential target. Could the veteran center be the missing piece for Montreal's playoff push? Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert dissect the possibility of acquiring O'Reilly, exploring trade scenarios and his potential impact on the Habs' lineup. In the Friday mailbag, the hosts tackle listener questions about hypothetical roster changes, including intriguing combinations featuring Suzuki, Slafkovsky, and Dach. They also ponder alternate timelines for the Canadiens, speculating on how Carey Price's career might have unfolded differently. From historical what-ifs to future roster projections, this mailbag episode covers it all. Tune in to hear which current Canadiens might be part of a Stanley Cup-winning team in the next five years.

Three Montreal Canadiens have been invited to Team Canada's Olympic orientation camp. Will they make the final roster? Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba break down the Olympic invitations sent to Sam Montembeault, Noah Dobson, and Nick Suzuki. Can all three of them make the team? And how good does Suzuki need to be next season to cement his spot on the roster? A new ranking of goaltenders has Sam Montembeault featured prominently among the league's elite goalies. Do the numbers match the eye test? And finally, in honour of the anniversary of Jeff Petry's second trade in and out of Montreal, Ian and Laura talk about some Habs they'd like back.

Are the Montreal Canadiens negotiating a new contract with Lane Hutson? And if so, how will this reshape the Habs blue line? We analyze potential defensive pairings for Montreal's upcoming season, with a focus on the Guhle-Dobson duo. We explore Hutson's contract situation, comparing it to Dobson's recent deal and speculating on his future with the team. Trade possibilities involving veteran Mike Matheson are dissected, considering the impact on younger players like David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom. Tune in for insights on the Canadiens' defensive corps and a special Maurice Richard trivia segment honoring the hockey legend's birthday.

If the Montreal Canadiens want Mason McTavish, can they get him without giving up a future core piece? Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba crack into the mailbag to answer your questions. Who will surprise in training camp? Who doesn't get enough love? Are the forwards all going to learn how to take faceoffs? And we respond to some of your trade proposals.

Montreal Canadiens do some more housekeeping by signing Jayden Struble to an extension. Hockey Canada trial fallout continues. Is Jakub Dobes the NHL's newest instigator? We break down Jaden Struble's two-year contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens, worth $1.4125 million annually. We also discuss the Hockey Canada trial verdict and its implications for the NHL's given their player eligibility policies. Plus: discover why Canadiens' backup goalie Jakub Dobes is earning a reputation as a premier trash-talker, with stories from the recent playoff clash against the Washington Capitals. Don't miss the chance to win signed Josh Anderson and Arber Xhekaj photos in the YouTube subscriber giveaway. Tune in for analysis on the Habs' defensive strategy and the evolving landscape of hockey culture.

The 2022 NHL Draft was the Habs chance to start something new. What if they made a different choice at first overall? Ian Boisvert analyzes what could have happened to the Canadiens if they took Shane Wright at first overall instead of Juraj Slafkovsky. Plus, there are a few Habs coming up on career milestones. How likely are they to hit these plateaus and what would need to happen for them to be possible? And finally, Ian reviews fan-made trade proposals.

As rumours of Pavel Zacha's availability persist, could he be the right fit as the Habs 2nd line centre? Ian Boisvert breaks down what kind of player the Bruins might be shopping while also wondering why a player like him would still be available. Then it's time for the mailbag! Your questions this week include how many goals will Lane Hutson score next year? Can Kirby Dach return to form? What's happening with Jayden Struble? And more!

Kaiden Guhle has established himself as a core member of the Habs blueline. Can he make the rest of the league take notice? Kay Imam of Game Over Montreal joins Ian Boisvert to break down Kaiden Guhle's campaign. With the changes to the blueline, who will Guhle play with? What else do Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have left to do? And finally, Kay and Ian make some irresponsible predictions about the 2025-26 Montreal Canadiens.

The Montreal Canadiens are looking to trade Carey Price's contract this fall. Why does this make sense and who could be interested in making this deal? Speaking of Habs goalies, Jaroslav Halak announced his retirement. Ian Boisvert looks back at his time in Montreal and recounts what the 2010 Halak Spring playoff run meant to him. And lastly, let's take a look at the 2026 NHL free agents. Will the Habs play it safe with a modest addition or will they swing for the fences with the likes of Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel being available?

The Montreal Canadiens do some housekeeping with their recent Joe Veleno signing. Is this a game-changer or just another move in the NHL's offseason chess match? We dissect the Habs' latest acquisition, exploring Veleno's potential impact on the team's lineup and penalty kill. We also break down the newly released NHL schedule, highlighting the "Frozen Frenzy" event and analyzing how the rest of the schedule affects the Canadiens' season. From Sidney Crosby trade speculation to recommended hockey resources for new fans, this mailbag episode covers it all. Tune in for thoughts on Veleno's projected performance and discover why we believe rivalry games against Toronto, Boston, and Ottawa have lost their luster.

Today on Locked On Canadiens, Rumour Roundup returns with a new target: Nazem Kadri. A new report has the veteran centre "linked" to the Montreal Canadiens. Is this rumour realistic? And would we want Kadri in Montreal? Ian and Laura also talk about their favorite Marty St. Louis quotes and draft their favorites in the first ever Fantasy Marty-ism League Draft. Which host drafted a better team?

Arber Xhekaj's evolution tantalizes Canadiens fans. Is the young defenseman poised for a standout season? We break down Xhekaj's impressive growth, highlighting his improved decision-making and ability to draw penalties. We also analyze recent roster rumors, including the team's stance on Evgeny Kuznetsov and potential moves to bolster the center position. We also reveal our "all-time I hated that guy" lineups, featuring some potentially controversial picks. Who would make your lineup? Discover why those Canadiens players frustrated fans in the past and how their performances shaped the team's history. How will Xhekaj's development impact Montreal's defensive strategy next season?

How were we wrong about the 2024-25 Canadiens? Should Juraj Slafkovsky and Kirby Dach play together again? Is more NHL expansion a bad idea? In our Friday mailbag, Ian and Laura answer your questions like what if the Habs had goal songs for each player? And what current trade rumours do we hope come true?

Who would the Montreal Canadiens protect in a hypothetical NHL expansion draft? Will the Habs lose a key player in the next 3-4 years? We dissect potential strategies to shield core talents like Suzuki, Caufield, and Slafkovsky. We also explore Patrik Laine's future in Montreal, analyzing his comeback from injuries and mental health challenges. We also tackle the contentious topic of converting wingers to centers, with skepticism about Ivan Demidov and Zachary Bolduc's rumored position changes. Kirby Dach's potential as a second-line center sparks debate, considering his injury history and the team's apparent faith in him. Tune in for expert analysis on the Canadiens' roster decisions and their impact on the team's future success.

The Montreal Canadiens need a 2C, but that should not stop them from improving their team in other ways. How can they accomplish that this summer? Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba break down why acquiring a top-6 winger would be a good idea for the Canadiens even if they are not able to add a 2C. The NHL and NHLPA ratified their new CBA this week. Ian and Laura discuss the changes they like and the ones they don't. And finally, after reviewing the Atlantic division teams, the Metropolitan division gets its turn on Locked On Canadiens.