Carey Price Crowned as Montreal Canadiens' Top Player of the 21st Century
During a lengthy Olympic break in the NHL schedule, an opportunity arose to compile a definitive ranking of the top 25 Montreal Canadiens players since the year 2000. This period has seen its share of challenges for the franchise, with the team missing the playoffs on ten occasions. However, there have also been notable highs, including two appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals and a memorable run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.
More than 300 skaters and 28 goaltenders have donned the iconic Canadiens sweater since the 2000-01 season began. From this large group, twenty-five individuals have distinguished themselves based on a combination of personal statistics, awards, their impact on the team and its passionate fanbase, and their longevity with the club.
The Undisputed Number One: Carey Price
In the final installment of this five-part series, we reveal the top five players, led by goaltending great Carey Price. The Canadiens' selection of Price with the fifth overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft was a strategic move by then-General Manager Bob Gainey, who believed Price was simply the best player available, despite the team's existing strength in goal with José Theodore.
"We picked him because he was the next player on our list and we're looking to the future," Gainey stated at the time. Price honed his skills with two more seasons in the WHL before a stellar Calder Cup championship run in the AHL, where he was named playoff MVP. His NHL debut followed, and after initial growing pains, he developed into the elite "thoroughbred" Gainey envisioned.
Price's pinnacle season came in 2014-15, when he mirrored Theodore's achievement by winning both the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Vézina Trophy as the top goaltender. His legendary performance that year included a 44-16-6 record, a 1.96 goals-against average, and a .933 save percentage.
A Career Defined by Resilience and Leadership
Price's career was marked by incredible resilience. He led the Canadiens to the 2014 Eastern Conference Final before a knee injury in Game 1, sustained when Chris Kreider crashed into the crease, ended his postseason. Knee issues persisted, but Price heroically carried the team on his back to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, posting a 2.28 GAA and a .924 save percentage before ultimately falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
His career was cut short by those persistent knee problems, but not before he established himself as the franchise's all-time leader in games played (712) and wins by a goaltender. Reflecting on his legacy, Price has said, "I get asked a lot, 'What are you proud of throughout your career?' I always tell everybody, 'Well, it's to have been the goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens for 15 years.'"
The Rest of the Top Five
Number 2: Saku Koivu. The beloved Finnish captain, the only European to ever wear the "C" for Montreal, won the hearts of a generation. His most iconic moment was an emotional return to the lineup in 2002 after battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma, greeted by an eight-minute standing ovation. He won the Bill Masterton Trophy that year for perseverance and dedication.
Number 3: Andrei Markov. The stalwart defenseman, drafted as a forward, became a cornerstone of the Canadiens' blue line for 990 games. A contract dispute prevented him from reaching the 1,000-game milestone with the franchise, a fact lamented by many fans. Upon a heartfelt return to the Bell Centre, he simply stated, "I believe this is the best city to play hockey."
Number 4: Nick Suzuki. The current captain and the youngest in franchise history, Suzuki has shown consistent improvement. He recently became the first Canadien in over a decade to reach the 80-point mark and continues to be a top offensive producer, currently ranking among the NHL's scoring leaders.
Number 5: Tomas Plekanec. The reliable, two-way center leads all Canadiens in points since the 2000-01 season with 606. Playing 984 games over 15 seasons, the quiet Czech was a model of consistency, famously wearing his trademark turtleneck and mentoring younger players like Brendan Gallagher with his keen hockey intelligence.
This ranking celebrates the individuals who have provided standout moments and sustained excellence for one of hockey's most historic franchises throughout the current century.
