The NHL preseason is now coming to a close. The Montreal Canadiens have just one game remaining before they kick off their regular season on October 7th in Toronto. Throughout training camp, we have seen several impressive performances from youngsters and veterans alike. But who stood out the most thus far for Montreal? Let’s take a look at the Montreal Canadiens training camp standouts for the 2025-26 season.
Montreal Canadiens Who Have Impressed
Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov
To nobody’s surprise, last year’s Calder Trophy winner, Lane Hutson, has been dominant this preseason. The main thing that has been different about his game, however, has been his shot. Last year, Hutson’s shot was notably the weakest part of his game. Being a smaller defenceman, he lacked the booming shot that many elite blue-liners possess. Over the summer, Hutson could frequently be seen in Brossard working on his release, and it appears to have paid dividends. After scoring only six goals in 82 games last year, he has already managed two in only three games. While he doesn’t have a 100 mph slapshot, his wrist shot is noticeably better than last season. Adding a goal-scoring component to Hutson’s game is a scary thought for opponents.
Rookie Ivan Demidov is taking part in his first Canadiens training camp. He was virtually a lock to make the Canadiens roster before camp, but he still showed out in preseason. Demidov showed flashes of his elite skill and vision. In three games, he managed three helpers, including two cross-ice feeds to Patrik Laine on the man advantage. Now that the Demidov-Laine power play connection has been established, we anticipate seeing it frequently this season.
Oliver Kapanen
Oliver Kapanen made the Canadiens out of training camp last year. However, he was eventually returned to Europe to play out the remainder of the season. Kapanen showed us flashes of the player he could be, but was still considered a raw product overall. This year has been a different story for the 22-year-old.
This year, Kapanen was considered a favorite to earn a roster spot out of camp. He appears much more confident and poised, and it’s reflected on the scoresheet as well. We saw him establish chemistry with Demidov early in camp and in the rookie showcase. In the last preseason contest, he centered a trio with Demidov and Alex Newhook on his wings. At this juncture, it looks as though he could be centering one of the Canadiens middle six lines.
Xhekaj Brothers
The Xhekaj brothers have been potentially the biggest storyline of the Canadiens camp. The eldest brother, Arber, had a rough campaign in 2024-25. His play wasn’t reflective of the player we saw in years prior, and it resulted in him being a frequent healthy scratch. This camp, however, he has looked like a completely different player. As for his younger brother, Florian, he has made an impression on the Canadiens brass. He has done everything he can to earn a roster spot this season. However, the 21-year-old will more than likely be returned to Laval for the season.
The duo has played together on two occasions this preseason, showcasing a different element of their games in each. In their first contest, both brothers scored a goal, while Florian also tallied an assist. This was their first game together in their careers, and it became a special moment for the family. In their second game, however, they showed how they can take over a game physically. Against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, almost 200 penalty minutes were handed out. This is largely due to the influence of the Xhekaj brothers, who dominated the game physically, both engaging in multiple fights. Montreal fans are now comparing the duo to the Bash Brothers from the Mighty Ducks franchise. We will be seeing these two in a Canadiens uniform together for a long time.
Main Photo: Eric Bolte- Imagn Images
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