Projecting the Canadiens Opening Night Roster

Training camp is the time for experimentation, but the Montreal Canadiens are beginning to give us a pretty good idea of what their opening-night lineup could look like.

There are still decisions to make, particularly on defence, but Montreal’s depth means some NHL-calibre players will inevitably be left out. Based on the combinations we have seen and the construction of the roster, here is one way the Canadiens could line up to begin the 2026-27 season.

Canadiens’ Projected Opening-Night Lineup

Forwards

Defence

Goaltenders

Jakub Dobes
Samuel Montembeault

Extras: Arber Xhekaj, Alexandre Texier
AHL: Jacob Fowler, Florian Xhekaj
Injured: Kaiden Guhle

Canadiens Have Plenty of Options Up Front

The biggest change comes at the top of the lineup with Chris Kreider joining Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Kreider gives that unit another legitimate goal-scoring threat while adding size and a strong net-front presence. It also allows Montreal to spread its young offensive talent throughout the lineup.

That means Juraj Slafkovsky could begin alongside Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov. It would be a young second line, but there is plenty of upside. The three of them played a couple of games together last season and it worked out pretty well for Montreal.

The Canadiens’ depth becomes particularly noticeable on the third line. Alex Newhook and Zachary Bolduc surrounding Jake Evans gives Montreal a line that could handle difficult matchups without sacrificing speed or offence.

Then there is a fourth unit of Josh Anderson, Phillip Danault and Kirby Dach. Calling that a traditional fourth line would almost be misleading. All three players have the ability to move up the lineup, which should give Martin St. Louis plenty of flexibility.

The unfortunate consequence is that Alexandre Texier could find himself outside the opening-night lineup. It is less an indictment of Texier than a reflection of Montreal’s depth. There simply aren’t enough spots for everyone, and the competition at camp could leave an established NHL forward watching from the press box.

Reinbacher Gets His Opportunity

Defence might provide the most interesting decision of camp. With Kaiden Guhle injured, an opening has been created, and David Reinbacher has an opportunity to take advantage of it. Reinbacher has had a strong camp and, at some point, Montreal needs to find out what it has in the former fifth-overall pick.

A third pairing with Alexandre Carrier could be an ideal way to introduce him to regular NHL action. Carrier provides experience and stability, meaning Reinbacher would not immediately be asked to carry a pairing. Meanwhile, Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson could form a solid unit, with Jayden Struble skating beside Lane Hutson.

That would leave Arber Xhekaj as the seventh defenceman to begin the season. Xhekaj still brings an element few other Canadiens defenders can provide, but Montreal’s blue line has become extremely competitive. Reinbacher pushing for a roster spot only makes those decisions more difficult. Once Guhle returns, things become even more complicated.

Fowler Starts in Laval

The Canadiens also have an interesting situation in goal, but there is no reason to rush Jacob Fowler. Jakub Dobes should enter the season with an opportunity to handle a significant workload after what he showed last season, while Samuel Montembeault gives Montreal an experienced second option. That leaves Fowler beginning the year with the Laval Rocket.

It might disappoint fans hoping to see Fowler immediately make the jump, but playing regularly in Laval is more valuable for his development than sitting on Montreal’s bench. If he continues progressing, his opportunity will come.

Montreal’s goaltending situation could change quickly depending on performance, but Dobes and Montembeault remain the logical tandem to start.

Canadiens’ Depth Creates Difficult Decisions

For years, Montreal entered training camp with obvious holes and hoped somebody would step up to fill them. This season feels different. Players such as Texier and Xhekaj potentially being pushed outside the lineup show how much internal competition the Canadiens have created. Reinbacher is forcing his way into the conversation, while Fowler can continue developing in Laval without Montreal needing to rush him.

Nothing is guaranteed before opening night, and injuries or late roster moves could change everything. Still, if the Canadiens start the season with something close to these combinations, St. Louis will have plenty of options. And for a team with serious expectations in 2026-27, having too many NHL-calibre players is a pretty good problem to have.