In this episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren turn their attention to the Montreal Canadiens — a team on the rise after breaking back into the playoffs for the first time since their 2021 Stanley Cup Final appearance.

The hosts dig deep into Montreal’s pivotal offseason, highlighted by a massive trade for defenseman Noah Dobson and the big-ticket extension that followed — 8 years at $9.5M AAV. Is Dobson truly a franchise defenseman? Can he deliver on that contract, especially paired with Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson?

Neil and Vic also explore Montreal’s elite prospect pool, including standout names like Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher, and Jacob Fowler — plus what their development means for the future of the franchise. And with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky continuing to grow, the Habs look poised to become a major threat… but are they ready now?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Canadiens return to the playoffs: First time since 2021

[01:00] Revisiting the Dobson trade: Was 8 years at $9.5M too much?

[02:15] Evaluating Dobson's offensive upside and defensive liabilities

[03:30] The Lane Hutson + Dobson power play pairing potential

[04:45] Offseason additions: Dobson, Zach Bolduc, Cabo Kahkonen, Sammy Blais, Joe Veleno

[06:15] Notable departures: Caden Primeau, Joel Armia, DeSmith, Harvey-Pinard

[07:00] Young stars to watch: Demidov, Reinbacher, Hutson, Fowler, Owen Beck

[08:30] Big year for captain Nick Suzuki and Slafkovsky’s next step

[09:00] Can this Habs team push deeper in 2026? Or will the East be too crowded?

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Noah Dobson’s extension raises eyebrows — he’s a legit weapon on the power play but his defensive game remains a question. The price tag suggests Montreal sees him as a long-term cornerstone.

Lane Hutson + Dobson could be one of the most electric power play pairings in the NHL — a potential game-changer for a team that ranked 21st last season with the man advantage.

Montreal’s prospect depth is elite, ranked #3 by The Athletic. Ivan Demidov could be a game-changer up front, and goalie Jacob Fowler continues to impress.

Slafkovsky and Caufield are taking steps, while Suzuki continues to emerge as one of the most consistent centers in the Eastern Conference.

This is a dangerous bubble team — if the youth steps up and goaltending holds, Montreal could easily grab a Wild Card spot.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Canadiens might not be a sure thing in 2026—but they’re no longer a rebuilding team. With elite prospects, key offseason moves, and one of the league’s most respected coaching staffs, Montreal is building something special. The playoffs are in reach, but the margin for error is slim.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

🐦 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

🏒 HASHTAGS

#NHL #Hockey #MontrealCanadiens #SummerCoolers #NHLWraparound #NoahDobson #EmilHeineman #MartinStLouis #LaneHutson #ZackBolduc ##LoganMailloux #KaapoKahkonen #SammyBlais #JoeVeleno #JakubDobes #JaydenStruble #CaydenPrimeau #JoelArmia #ChristianDvorak #MichaelPezzetta #RafaelHarvey-Pinard #AlexBarre-Boulet #IvanDemidov #NickSuzuki #JurajSlafkovsky #ColeCaufield