As the calendar turns, the question on the minds of Montreal Canadiens fans is clear: which player on their beloved team made the most significant strides during the 2025 season? Furthermore, who is poised for a major breakout in the year ahead?
Insights from Stanley Cup Champions
These pressing questions were tackled in a special bonus episode of The Hockey Inside/Out Show, hosted by The Gazette's Stu Cowan. He was joined by two esteemed voices from the franchise's storied past: former teammates and 1986 Stanley Cup champions Chris Nilan and Rick Green. The episode, recorded as part of a holiday series, delves into player development and future potential within the current Canadiens roster.
The discussion is timely, following a season where young talents like Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky have been skating prominent roles. A photo from a November 20 game against the Washington Capitals, published by the Montreal Gazette, captured the two wingers in action, symbolizing the team's youthful core.
Looking Back at 2025, Forward to 2026
The core of the bonus episode revolves around a dual analysis. First, Nilan and Green provide their expert perspectives on which Hab demonstrated the most notable improvement over the course of the 2025 campaign. Their assessment considers factors like on-ice performance, consistency, and the development of key skills.
Secondly, the former champions look into their crystal balls to make a prediction for the 2026 season, identifying the player they believe is most likely to take a substantial leap forward. This forward-looking analysis offers fans a glimpse of potential breakout stars to watch in the coming months.
Accessing the Full Discussion
The bonus episode is part of a holiday series from The Gazette's Hockey Inside/Out platform. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the Hockey Inside/Out YouTube channel to catch this and future episodes. The show is also available on major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
The Montreal Gazette, which has served the community for over 245 years, continues to provide in-depth sports coverage and analysis through its subscription model. This includes access to award-winning journalism, the ePaper edition, and engagement within a moderated commenting community.
