Predicting the Canadiens’ Major Stat Category Leaders for 2026-27

With training camp underway, the 2026-27 NHL regular season is quickly approaching, and expectations surrounding the Montreal Canadiens are considerably higher than they have been in recent years. After another step forward last season and a strong playoff run, Montreal enters the new campaign with a young core that continues to develop and more depth throughout the lineup.

The Canadiens also have plenty of candidates capable of leading the team in different statistical categories. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield remain at the heart of the offence, while Ivan Demidov, Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson could continue pushing their production to another level. With that in mind, here are some predictions for Montreal’s statistical leaders this season.

Canadiens’ Offensive Leaders

Goals: Cole Caufield

This one should not come as much of a surprise. After Caufield reached the 50-goal mark last season, he enters 2026-27 as Montreal’s most dangerous pure goal scorer. Repeating a 50-goal season is never easy, and it shouldn’t necessarily be the expectation every year. However, Caufield should once again receive plenty of opportunities alongside Suzuki and Slafkovsky, while remaining one of Montreal’s biggest weapons on the power play.

Slafkovsky and Demidov could make things interesting if either takes another major offensive step, but Caufield remains the safest bet to lead the Canadiens in goals.

Assists: Lane Hutson

Suzuki could easily take this category, but let’s go with Hutson. The young defenseman has quickly developed into one of Montreal’s primary offensive creators. His ability to move the puck, create opportunities off the rush and quarterback the power play gives him a chance to put up huge assist totals. Last year he put up 66 assists, only six shy of Suzuki, who lead the team.

With Montreal’s offensive talent improving around him, Hutson should have even more options when he has the puck. Suzuki and Demidov should also be near the top, but don’t be surprised if Hutson finishes the season as the Canadiens’ assist leader.

Points: Nick Suzuki

Until someone takes the title away from him, Suzuki remains the player to beat. The Canadiens’ captain has become one of the NHL’s most consistent centres and drives Montreal’s top line. Playing between Caufield and Slafkovsky gives him two excellent offensive options, while his role on the power play should once again provide plenty of additional production.

Demidov may eventually challenge Suzuki as Montreal’s most productive offensive player, but heading into 2026-27, the captain remains the best bet to finish atop the Canadiens’ scoring race.

Canadiens’ Other Statistical Leaders

Defenseman Points: Lane Hutson

There is plenty of offensive talent on Montreal’s blue line with Hutson and Noah Dobson, but Hutson should remain the favourite to lead the group in points. He has already established himself as a major part of the Canadiens’ offence, and his power-play role gives him an advantage in this category. Dobson should provide significant production of his own, but Hutson has the potential to push toward a point-per-game pace if everything clicks.

Hits: Josh Anderson

Josh Anderson’s role has changed throughout his Canadiens career, but the physical side of his game remains an important part of what he brings.

Montreal has other candidates who could challenge him, including Arber Xhekaj when he is in the lineup, but Anderson should play considerably more games and continues to use his size and speed aggressively on the forecheck. With the Canadiens becoming younger and more skilled, his physicality remains valuable in the bottom six.

Penalty Minutes: Arber Xhekaj

As long as Xhekaj gets enough games, this category almost feels made for him. The 25-year-old defenseman has never been afraid to defend teammates or drop the gloves, and that naturally comes with penalty minutes. His challenge will be maintaining a regular spot in a crowded Canadiens defence corps, but even without playing all 84 games, he could still finish near the top of the team in this category.

Canadiens’ Goaltending Leaders

Wins: Jakub Dobes

The Canadiens’ goaltending situation will be one of the more interesting storylines to follow this season. Dobes enters camp with the inside track after a strong 2025-26 campaign and playoff run, but Jacob Fowler and Samuel Montembeault remain part of the picture.

Dobes finished last season with a 29-10-4 record before taking on a significant workload in the playoffs. If he remains Montreal’s primary starter, he should naturally have the best opportunity to lead the team in wins. That doesn’t mean the position is completely settled. Fowler continues pushing toward a larger NHL role, while Montembeault will be looking to bounce back. Still, Dobes enters the season as the safest choice.

Canadiens Have Plenty of Candidates

What makes these predictions more difficult than they would have been a few seasons ago is the number of legitimate options Montreal now has. Suzuki and Caufield remain established offensive leaders, but Slafkovsky, Demidov and Hutson are capable of taking significant steps. Dobson gives the blue line another high-end offensive option, while the competition in goal could last well beyond training camp.

Not every prediction will age perfectly over an 84-game season, but that’s part of what makes this Canadiens team so intriguing. There are finally several players capable of challenging for the top spot in almost every major statistical category.