The skeleton of the Canadiens in 2025-26 if Demidov/Lindstrom is the selection:
Slafkovsky-Suzuki-Demidov/Lindstrom
Caufield-Dach-X
Roy-Newhook-X
RHP-Beck-X
Matheson-Guhle
Hutson-Reinbacher
Xhekaj-Mailloux
Struble
Montembeault-Primeau
Obviously, veterans are needed to surround this young core. Ideally, Guhle would be moved to the left side.
UFAs: Savard, Dvorak, Armia, Evans, Pezzetta, Kovacevic
Available players: Matheson, Gallagher, Anderson, Harris, Barron, Ylönen
Young players fighting for a spot: Mesar, Kapanen, Engstrom, Konyushkov, Heineman, etc.
The Canadiens' turnaround will continue to be interesting next season with several players who could bring in valuable assets at the trade deadline, plenty of cap space (and a rising cap) to trade/sign a UFA, progressing young players, and (probably) another top-10 draft pick.
In short, there will be no shortage of action around the Canadiens in the next 16 months!
