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3 Most Defining Moments of 2024 for the Montreal Canadiens

2024 was a big year full of defining moments for the Montreal Canadiens. They are setting themselves up for a bright future.

With 2025 right around the corner, the Montreal Canadiens are rebuilding as they try to be a mainstay in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for many years under Vice President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton and General Manager Kent Hughes.

Each year, the Canadiens are looking to take the next step in rebuilding. This season, they want to play meaningful games before it is time and expect to make the playoffs again. It was a tough season these last couple of years, but the summer of 2024 for the Montreal Canadiens was highlighted by big moves once again. Here are the three most defining moments from the Montreal Canadiens 2024 year.

Canadiens Add Sniper Patrik Laine

The Montreal Canadiens made another offseason splash with the acquisition of Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Laine had been looking for a change of scenery. Meanwhile, the Canadiens wanted to add a top-six forward to their roster. This was a match made in heaven, if there ever was one. 



Laine has been everything and more for the Canadiens, as he has recorded 10 points (eight goals and two assists) in 12 games with the Canadiens. All eight of his goals have come on the power play this season for Montreal. This is a big reason why Team Finland’s Jeri Lehtinen selected him for the Four Nations Faceoff. Laine’s shot is still one of the best in the NHL. He has turned the Montreal Canadiens into a more efficient one. 

Emergence of Lane Hutson

Speaking of exciting things on the way for the Canadiens besides playing meaningful hockey, how about the emergence of Lane Hutson? Hutson is a future Norris Trophy defenseman in the making. You can see the raw talent on display, especially his skating ability and what he can do at the blue line. When you can find a gem like Hutson in the second round of the NHL Draft and beyond, your scouting staff is doing something special. 

Hutson, who played at Boston University for the last two seasons, is transitioning to the NHL very nicely. He finished with 48 and 49 points, respectively, in those two years with the Terriers. In those two years, he hit a career-high in college with 15 goals. However, Hutson is more of a playmaker, and his ability to pass the puck with his first pass out of the zone is special. 

Lane Hutson Canadiens a 2024 breakout star
Lane Hutson Canadiens a 2024 breakout star

With Boston University, he had 33 and 34 assists, respectively. He already has 26 assists this season with Montreal. In two games with the Canadiens, he had two assists. So he is right there in passing his career-high mark for assists. He is a special player and part of a bright future ahead for Montreal. 

Sam Montembeault Proving He is a Number One Goalie

It is always a tough transition to follow a legend. It took Montreal many years to find someone to replace Patrick Roy. They finally had that in Carey Price. However, the days of Price in between the pipes for Montreal are long gone. Though they have Jacob Fowler coming, Sam Montembeault is making a case to be the next guy for Montreal. 

He was named to the 4 Nations Face Off team for Canada, as he should be. This was based on performance only. He is only a reasonable contract for the Canadiens, and while his numbers are not that impressive record-wise of 13-14-2, it is his other numbers that are solid. Montembeault has a 2.90 GAA and a .901 save percentage. While they may seem underwhelming, Montembeault shows he can carry a starter’s load. 

The future is bright for Montembeault. Look at the confidence he got from playing at the World Championships for Canada and winning Gold, which has allowed him to transform into the goalie that everyone thinks he can be. 

With the Canadiens ready to play meaningful, Sam Montembeault leads the charge for the Canadiens. 

Next: Insider Breaks Down Why Canucks Are in Trouble Without Hughes

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