Canadiens face Demidov injury test as Beck pushes and Barkov sidelined

The Montreal Canadiens’ early season is already being shaped by injuries and internal competition, with Ivan Demidov’s absence standing out as a major storyline. The highly touted forward is sidelined for a defined period, forcing the coaching staff to rework the top six and test the club’s offensive depth right out of the gate.

Montembeault still battling and St-Louis weighing tough calls

In goal, Samuel Montembeault continues to face an uphill climb to establish himself as the long-term answer in Montreal. A recent profile highlighted how little has come easily in his career and underscored that he still needs to earn every start as the season unfolds. How he handles this stretch could heavily influence the organization’s evaluation of its crease.

Head coach Martin St-Louis is also under the microscope as he navigates a roster that, in many respects, resembles last year’s group. Commentators have noted that, for better or worse, the Canadiens look familiar: the same core pieces, with similar strengths and potential weaknesses. The home opener at the Bell Centre was described as anything but routine, reflecting the expectations and scrutiny surrounding this edition of the team.

Beck trying to break through and Habs ticket demand soars

Prospect Owen Beck is doing everything he can to force the club’s hand. The young centre is intent on making a serious bid for a roster spot, hoping to take advantage of opportunities created by injuries and the battle for ice time up front. His progress could influence how the Canadiens manage their depth down the middle in the coming weeks.

Off the ice, ticket prices have become another notable topic in Montreal. A recent report outlined why Canadiens tickets currently rank among the most expensive in the NHL. Despite the rebuild and modest results in recent seasons, demand for seats at the Bell Centre remains extremely strong.

Victoire of Montreal, Barkov’s injury and league-wide notes

In the PWHL, the Montreal Victoire have signed Skylar Irving to a one-year contract extension. Even with Marie-Philip Poulin unavailable, attendance does not appear to be suffering, suggesting stable interest in professional women’s hockey in the city.

Around the NHL, injuries are already having an impact. Florida Panthers centre Aleksander Barkov is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a left leg injury, though he will not require surgery. In Toronto, Gavin McKenna has spoken about his early-season scoring drought and the attention it has drawn. Out west, San Jose Sharks captain Macklin Celebrini is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

League-wide storylines also include a projection of the top 100 NHL players for this season, Quinton Byfield’s stated desire to “be the guy” who steps up for the Los Angeles Kings following Anze Kopitar’s retirement, and speculation about backup goaltenders who could steal starting jobs. Another feature explains why the long-running "After Hours" show is no longer on the air following changes to the "Hockey Night in Canada" broadcast.