Montreal Canadiens 2025-26 Player Report Card: Defencemen – The Hockey Writers – Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens took a clear step forward this season, and while much of the attention went to their explosive young forwards, the blue line played a massive role in that progression. With a mix of elite young talent, evolving veterans, and players still trying to find consistency, the Habs’ defence corps was far from perfect, but undeniably improved. Here’s a full report card on Montreal’s defencemen following the 2025–26 season.

Lane Hutson: A

Lane Hutson earns an easy A after a sensational second campaign. Recording 78 points in 82 games as a defenceman is elite production, and it speaks to just how dynamic he is with the puck. Hutson was the engine of the Canadiens’ transition game, constantly creating offence from the back end and quarterbacking the power play with confidence well beyond his years. 

While questions about his defensive game still exist in certain matchups, they are becoming less and less of a concern given how much he drives play. At just 22 years old, Hutson has already established himself as one of the most exciting offensive defencemen in the NHL and, arguably, the cornerstone of Montreal’s blue line moving forward.

Mike Matheson: A-

Mike Matheson gets an A–, and his season might be one of the most underrated on the team. With David Savard retiring after last season, Matheson took on a much more defensive role, and he handled it extremely well. Known primarily for his skating and offensive instincts earlier in his career, Matheson adapted his game to become a more reliable two-way presence.

He still produced 37 points in 78 games, but more importantly, he played big minutes in key situations and brought stability to the defensive zone. His evolution since arriving in Montreal has been significant, and this season may have been his most complete yet.

Noah Dobson: A-

Noah Dobson also earns an A– in his first season with the Canadiens. Acquired to solidify the blue line, Dobson delivered exactly that. While his offensive numbers (47 points) are lower than his peak seasons with the New York Islanders, his overall game became more well-rounded. He was used in a more balanced role, focusing on being a complete defenceman rather than just an offensive contributor. His presence brought structure and calmness to the backend, and his ability to play heavy minutes made a clear difference. Considering the expectations and the price paid to acquire him, this was a strong first season in Montreal.

Alexandre Carrier: B-

Alexandre Carrier receives a B- after an up-and-down season. There were stretches where he struggled, particularly in defensive coverage and consistency, but he still managed to provide decent depth minutes overall. He wasn’t a liability, but he also didn’t consistently elevate the group. On a stronger defensive team, his role might be better defined, but with Montreal still developing, his inconsistencies were more noticeable. Still, there’s enough there to justify keeping him in the mix moving forward.

Kaiden Guhle: B-

Kaiden Guhle also lands at a B-, though his season comes with more context. Expectations were higher for the young defenceman, especially given his physical tools and potential, but injuries once again disrupted his progression. Finishing with just 11 points, Guhle didn’t take the offensive step many hoped for, and at times, his overall impact felt limited. That said, he still shows flashes of being a reliable, physical presence on the blue line. The talent is there, but next season will be important for him to finally put it all together and stay healthy.

Jayden Struble: B-

Jayden Struble earns a B- as well, largely thanks to a strong second half of the season. As the year progressed, the Canadiens coaching staff began to trust him more, and Struble responded with solid, dependable play. He’s not flashy, but he moves well and can handle defensive responsibilities adequately. While there are still areas to clean up in his game, particularly in decision-making under pressure, his trajectory is pointing in the right direction. For a player who wasn’t guaranteed a major role at the start of the season, this was a positive step forward.

Arber Xhekaj: C+

Arber Xhekaj rounds out the group with a C+. It was a challenging season for the physical defenceman, who found himself in a very limited role. Xhekaj struggled to make a consistent impact, both physically and defensively. While his toughness remains an asset, the modern NHL demands more from defencemen, and he wasn’t able to provide enough in other areas to justify a bigger role. That said, it’s difficult to fully evaluate a player in such limited minutes, and there’s still room for him to carve out a niche if he can round out his game.

Overall, the Canadiens’ defence took meaningful steps this season, highlighted by elite production from Hutson and strong contributions from Matheson and Dobson. While there are still question marks surrounding depth players and the development of young pieces like Guhle, the foundation is clearly in place. If this group continues to grow and adds a bit more consistency, the Habs’ blue line could soon become one of the team’s biggest strengths as they push further into contention.