Ranking the Canadiens’ Core by Long-Term Potential

The Montreal Canadiens have spent the past few years building one of the most exciting young cores in the NHL. The rebuild is no longer just about prospects and draft picks. Montreal now has several established players who should remain at the center of the organization for years to come.

Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson all bring something different to the table. Some have already reached star status, while others may still have another level to unlock.

So, if we rank them strictly by their long-term potential, what does the Canadiens’ core look like?

6. Noah Dobson

Noah Dobson gives the Canadiens another cornerstone on the blue line. He is a big, mobile right-handed defenseman capable of playing major minutes and contributing offensively. Finding a legitimate top-pairing right-handed defenseman is incredibly difficult, which makes his presence even more valuable to Montreal.

Dobson may not have the same untapped ceiling as some of the younger names on this list, but there is also less projection involved. Montreal knows it has a defenseman who can handle a significant role for years. Having Dobson and Hutson together gives the Canadiens the foundation of what could remain one of the NHL’s better blue lines for a long time.

5. Cole Caufield

Cole Caufield has already established himself as one of the NHL’s most dangerous goal scorers. His shot will always be the foundation of his game, and playing alongside Suzuki has allowed him to become the offensive weapon Montreal hoped he would be when it drafted him. His ability to score gives him a realistic chance to eventually challenge for the Rocket Richard (best goal scorer) every year. A bit like he did with his 51 goal season in 2025-26.

The reason he lands fifth is that his long-term value will always be heavily connected to his offensive production. The players ahead of him can potentially impact games in more areas. Still, having a player with Caufield’s scoring ability locked into the core is a luxury.

4. Juraj Slafkovsky

The former first-overall pick has developed into an important part of the Canadiens’ top six. His combination of size, skill and physicality gives Montreal something few other players on the roster can provide. He can win battles along the boards, create space for his linemates and contribute offensively.

There is room for another step, particularly when it comes to consistently taking over games. He has legitimate star potential. The players ahead of him simply have even higher ceilings or have already established themselves at an elite level.

3. Nick Suzuki

Suzuki might be the safest player on the entire list. The Canadiens captain has developed into much more than just a productive top-line center. He can play in every situation, match up against the opposition’s best players and still drive Montreal’s offense. This is why he won the Selke trophy last season.

There is an argument for putting him even higher because of how complete his game has become and will continue to be. Elite centers are extremely difficult to find, and Suzuki has already proven he can be the player Montreal builds around.

At this point, the question isn’t whether Suzuki can become part of an elite core. He already is. The two players ahead of him simply have ceilings that could put them among the very best players at their respective positions.

2. Lane Hutson

What Hutson has done early in his NHL career has completely changed expectations. There were questions about whether his size would limit him defensively and whether his offensive game would translate against NHL competition. Those concerns have quickly become much quieter.

Hutson’s skating, vision and ability to create offense from the blue line make him a unique weapon. He doesn’t simply contribute offensively, he can dictate the pace of a game when the puck is on his stick.

If his development continues, Hutson has the potential to become a perennial Norris Trophy candidate and one of the NHL’s premier offensive defensemen.

1. Ivan Demidov

Demidov remains the player with the highest ceiling in Montreal’s core. His creativity, puck skills and offensive instincts give him the potential to become the type of superstar forward the Canadiens have rarely possessed in recent decades. He can create something out of nothing and has the skill set to eventually become a point-per-game player, potentially much more.

The exciting part is that Montreal doesn’t necessarily need Demidov to carry the entire offense. Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky and the rest of the core are already around him. Demidov has the opportunity to become the final piece that pushes Montreal’s offense from good to elite.

Where Could Michael Hage Eventually Fit?

Michael Hage remains one of the most intriguing prospects in the Canadiens’ system and could eventually force his way into this conversation. His combination of skating, skill and offensive upside gives Montreal another potential top-six center.

It is far too early to place him ahead of established NHL stars, but his ceiling makes him worth mentioning. If Hage develops into the top-six center Montreal believes he can become, he could eventually find himself somewhere in this ranking.

That’s what makes Montreal’s situation so encouraging. Six players already form an impressive core, and there are still prospects pushing to join them. The Canadiens aren’t waiting for a core to emerge anymore. They already have one. The next question is just how good it can become.