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

The Montreal Canadiens have taken a clear step forward this season, and while much of the attention has focused on the explosive young forward, the blue line has played a big role in that progression. With a mix of elite talent, developing veterans, and players still trying to find consistency, the Habs’ defensive structures have been far from perfect, but they have undeniably improved. Here’s a full report card on Montreal’s defense following the 2025-26 season.

Lane Hutson: A

Lane Hutson earns an easy A after a sensational sophomore campaign. Recording 78 points in 82 games as a defenseman is exceptional production, and it speaks to how strong he is with the puck. Hutson has been the engine of the Canadiens’ transition game, consistently creating offense from the end and supporting the power play with confidence beyond his years.

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

Mike Matheson: A-

Mike Matheson gets an A–and his season may be one of the most underrated on the team. With David Savard retiring after last season, Matheson took over the defensive role, and handled it very well. Known for his skating and offense early in his career, Matheson adjusted his game to become a more reliable persona.

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

Noah Dobson: A-

Noah Dobson also gets an A– in his first season with the Canadiens. Recruited to bolster the blue line, Dobson delivered just that. While his offensive numbers (47 points) are lower than his peak times with the New York Islanders, his overall game has been more intense. He was used in a balanced role, focusing on being a complete defender rather than just an attacking contributor. His presence has brought structure and composure to the back, and his ability to play tough minutes has made a clear difference. Considering the expectations and the price paid to get him, this was a solid first season in Montreal.

Alexandre Carrier: B-

Alexandre Carrier gets a B- after an up-and-down season. There were areas where he struggled, especially on defense and consistency, but he was able to provide decent depth minutes overall. He wasn’t a liability, but he also didn’t always lift the team. On a strong defensive team, his role might be better defined, but as Montreal progressed, his inconsistency became more apparent. Still, there’s enough to justify keeping him in the mix going forward.

Kaiden Guhle: B-

Kaiden Guhle also comes to the B’s, though his season comes with more context. Expectations were high for the young defender, especially given his physical tools and strength, but injuries once again derailed his progress. Finishing with just 11 points, Guhle didn’t make the offensive impact many expected, and at times, his impact seemed limited. That said, he still shows a reliable, physical presence on the blue line. The talent is there, but next season it will be important for him to finally put it together and stay healthy.

Jayden Struble: B-

Jayden Struble leads with a B-again, mostly thanks to a strong second half of the season. As the year went on, the Canadiens coaching staff began to trust him more, and Struble responded with solid, reliable play. He is not flashy, but moves well and can handle defensive responsibilities well. Although there are still areas he needs to clean up in his game, especially in making decisions under pressure, his track record points the way. For a player who wasn’t guaranteed a big role at the start of the season, this was a great step forward.

Arber Xhekaj: C+

Arber Xhekaj rounds out the team with C+. It was a challenging season for the defender, who found himself in a very limited role. Xhekaj struggled to make a consistent impact, both physically and defensively. While his durability remains an asset, the modern NHL demands more from defensemen, and he hasn’t been able to provide enough in other areas to justify a bigger role. That said, it’s hard to fully evaluate a player in such limited minutes, and there’s still room for him to make the cut if he can finish his game.

Overall, the Canadiens’ defense has made significant strides this season, highlighted by elite production from Hutson and solid contributions from Matheson and Dobson. While there are still question marks surrounding depth players and the development of smaller pieces like Guhle, the foundation is in place. If this team continues to grow and add more consistency, the Habs blue line could soon become the team’s biggest strength as it moves forward in contention.