Here is the projected new lineup ahead of next season for the Canadiens

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Elias Edmonson
June 10, 2024 (10:22)

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Analyst Marc-Olivier Beaudoin has just revealed the projected new lines and pairings for the Canadiens and Martin St-Louis following Kent Hughes' summer acquisitions.

This could obviously change over the coming weeks, especially after the NHL Draft and the opening of the free agency market in the National Hockey League, but it provides a good idea of the current state of affairs.

Projected 2025-26 Montreal Canadiens Lineup with Martin St-Louis' Lines and Pairings

Considering that the Canadiens' 2024 first-round pick will likely join the NHL only in the 2025-26 season, Beaudoin used that year to build his future lines and pairings.

With all the circulating information, here is the result of this exercise.

«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. And, ideally, Guhle would be moved to the left.» - Marc-Olivier Beaudoin

As he mentions, it's important to note that players becoming unrestricted free agents during this period include David Savard, Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, Jake Evans, Michael Pezzetta, and Johnathan Kovacevic. They will all be unrestricted free agents by 2026 unless they sign a contract extension.

He also believes that Mike Matheson, Brendan Gallagher, Josh Anderson, Jordan Harris, Justin Barron, and Jesse Ylönen will be available on the trade market and could be traded by then.

Additionally, young players like Filip Mesar, Oliver Kapanen, Adam Engstrom, Emil Heineman, and Bogdan Konyushkov could join the mix.

Do you think this will be a solid lineup worthy of the NHL playoffs?

What would be your suggestions to fill the «X» spots in Kent Hughes' lineup?

The coming months will be very interesting and crucial for the future, especially if Kent Hughes can add another young top-6 forward, like a Trevor Zegras or a Cole Perfetti.