The Montreal Canadiens have had an interesting start to the 2026-27 season. While there have been some encouraging performances, the team has also experienced its fair share of struggles, particularly defensively and between the pipes. However, despite the inconsistencies, several players have stepped up and given fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic about what lies ahead. Some of those players were expected to play important roles, while others have exceeded expectations and are making a strong case for more responsibilities moving forward. With eight games in the books, here are three Canadiens players who have stood out the most to begin the season. Lane Hutson At this point, what more can be said about Lane Hutson? The young defenseman continues to establish himself as one of the most exciting players in the NHL, and his start to the 2026-27 campaign has been nothing short of impressive. Through the Canadiens’ first eight games, Hutson has recorded eight points, averaging exactly a point per game. While those offensive numbers are already impressive for a defenseman, what makes his performance even more remarkable is the responsibility he has taken on. Hutson is averaging over 26 minutes of ice time per game, an enormous workload for a player who is still so young. He has become an essential part of Montreal’s defensive group, playing in virtually every situation and regularly being relied upon to generate offense from the blue line. What makes Hutson so special is his ability to create something out of seemingly nothing. His vision, skating, and creativity allow him to find passing lanes that most players would never even consider. Even when opponents appear to have him contained, he somehow manages to escape pressure and create a scoring opportunity. Of course, there are still areas of his game that can improve, particularly defensively. However, considering his age and the responsibilities he already carries, it is difficult not to be impressed. If Hutson continues producing at this pace while handling such significant minutes, there is little doubt that he will remain one of Montreal’s most valuable players throughout the season. Zachary Bolduc Another player who deserves considerable recognition for his strong start is Zachary Bolduc. Bolduc’s first season with the Canadiens did not necessarily go as everyone had hoped. There were some encouraging moments, but consistency was an issue, and he struggled at times to establish himself as a reliable offensive contributor. However, the beginning of his second campaign in Montreal has been a completely different story. Through eight games, Bolduc has already recorded six points and has been one of the Canadiens’ most productive offensive players. In fact, only Cole Caufield has scored more goals for Montreal to this point in the season. That is certainly an encouraging development for a player the Canadiens are hoping can become an important part of their offensive core for years to come. Beyond his production during regulation, Bolduc has also delivered in the shootout, scoring a couple of important goals and demonstrating the confidence he possesses with the puck on his stick. His shot has always been one of his biggest strengths, and when he is playing with confidence, he can be a dangerous offensive weapon. He is not afraid to shoot the puck, and his ability to finish scoring opportunities gives Montreal another threat beyond its established stars. The biggest challenge for Bolduc will now be maintaining this level of play throughout the season. Eight games represent a relatively small sample size, but there is no denying that his start has been encouraging. If he can continue producing consistently, Bolduc could quickly become one of the Canadiens’ most important secondary scoring options. Jacob Fowler Perhaps the most interesting name on this list is Jacob Fowler, who has taken full advantage of his opportunity with the Canadiens. Fowler was recalled following Samuel Montembeault’s injury, and while the expectation may have initially been for him to provide temporary support, his performances have made the situation considerably more complicated. Through four appearances, Fowler has won three games while posting a 2.16 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. Those numbers might not be spectacular across the board, but they certainly tell an encouraging story for a young goaltender still finding his footing at the NHL level. More importantly, Fowler has provided some much-needed stability between the pipes at a time when the Canadiens desperately needed it. Jakub Dobes has struggled to find consistency early in the season, while Montembeault’s injury has left Montreal without one of its veteran options. Fowler has stepped into that situation and demonstrated that he is capable of handling the pressure. His calmness, positioning, and ability to make timely saves have been particularly encouraging. He has not been perfect, but he has given the Canadiens a legitimate chance to win whenever he has been in goal. The question now becomes what happens when Montembeault is healthy enough to return. At this point, it is becoming increasingly difficult to justify sending Fowler back to Laval if he continues performing at this level. Of course, the organization must consider his long-term development, and keeping three goaltenders on the NHL roster is far from an ideal solution.…
