It’s been a surprisingly strong season for the Montreal Canadiens. Coming into the season, expectations were modest at best, with most analysts projecting another rebuilding campaign. But the Habs have defied the odds, staying competitive and keeping themselves firmly in the playoff race down the stretch. Fueled by a mix of youthful energy, solid goaltending, and a resilient group mentality, Montreal has quietly turned heads across the league. However, not everything has clicked perfectly; these three guys have been underwhelming for Montreal this season.
Cayden Primeau
Cayden Primeau began the season as the Canadiens’ backup goalie, finally getting a real shot to solidify his role at the NHL level. Expectations were cautiously optimistic, after years of development and flashes of potential, this was supposed to be his opportunity to prove he belonged. But Primeau struggled out of the gate, delivering inconsistent performances, and failing to provide the kind of stability Montreal needed behind Samuel Montembeault. His rebound control and decision-making under pressure remained shaky, and it quickly became clear the Habs couldn’t rely on him during a playoff push.
By December, Montreal made the call to send him down to Laval, a clear signal that the experiment hadn’t worked. In his place, Jakub Dobeš got the nod and immediately showed poise in relief duty. While still raw, Dobeš brought energy and focus to the crease, giving the Canadiens a chance to win when called upon. For Primeau, this season feels like a missed opportunity, one that now puts his long-term future with the organization in serious doubt.
In 11 games with the Canadiens, Primeau finished with a 2-3-1 record and a poor 4.70 goals-against average (GAA) and .836 save percentage. No goalie that appeared in at least 10 games had worse numbers than the 25-year-old goaltender. In Laval, with the Rocket, Primeau showed some good things. He has, at the moment of writing those lines, a 20-2-2 record and a solid 2.00 GAA.
Arber Xhekaj
Arber Xhekaj came into the season with high expectations after a solid second campaign that saw him earn a reputation as one of the most feared physical presences in the league. Many believed he’d take another step forward, cementing himself as a regular on the Canadiens’ blue line. But that next step never really came. Xhekaj struggled with defensive consistency and discipline, and while his physicality was never in question, his overall impact began to fade as the season wore on.
Eventually, he lost his spot to Jayden Struble, who brought a more balanced, steady presence on the back end. Struble’s reliable play and calm decision-making made it difficult for Xhekaj to re-enter the lineup. In a season where the Habs could’ve used his edge and energy down the stretch, Xhekaj was simply unable to step up and reclaim his place.
Related : Arber Xhekaj’s Future With the Canadiens
This season, Xhekaj played a total of 70 games and recorded a goal and five assists. The 24-year-old defenceman was a minus-13, the worst amongst all Canadiens defencemen this season. It leaves us with questions about where he fits in Montreal’s long-term plans.
Kirby Dach
Kirby Dach’s season was derailed by injury once again, and while the timing of it was unfortunate, his performance before going down left much to be desired. Coming off a promising 2022–23 campaign, there were hopes that he could solidify himself as a top-six fixture and a key piece of Montreal’s young core. But even before the injury, Dach looked a step behind. He struggled to generate consistent offence and appeared hesitant in key moments, likely still feeling the effects of his previous injury.
In 57 games, he managed just 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points, while finishing the season with a glaring minus-29 rating. For a player expected to take a major leap, those numbers are underwhelming. There’s still potential in Dach’s game, but this season served as a tough reminder that development isn’t always linear, and the Canadiens are still waiting for him to truly break out.
Dach’s underwhelming season leaves the Canadiens with lingering questions about their second-line center role moving forward. With Nick Suzuki firmly entrenched on the top line, Montreal was hoping Dach would seize the opportunity to anchor the second unit and provide much-needed offensive depth down the middle. Instead, his inconsistent play and lack of production before the injury created a noticeable gap in the lineup—one that was never fully filled. As the team looks ahead, it’s still unclear whether Dach can be that long-term solution or if the organization will need to look elsewhere to solidify that crucial spot.
While Primeau, Xhekaj, and Dach have all had underwhelming seasons for different reasons, their struggles haven’t overshadowed the bigger picture. Primeau missed a golden opportunity to lock down the backup job, Xhekaj couldn’t hold onto his spot on the blue line, and Dach, despite high hopes, failed to make an impact before suffering another tough injury. Yet, despite those disappointments, the Canadiens have found a way to stay competitive and surprisingly make the playoffs, something few predicted back in October. The emergence of young talent, improved structure, and a resilient team identity have defined this season far more than the setbacks. Montreal’s progress is undeniable, even if a few individual performances fell short.
