Canadiens draw early lessons as Hurricanes visit and Ovechkin era winds down

The Montreal Canadiens have only just begun their schedule, but the organization is already sifting through the first lessons of the season. With a limited number of games played, early trends are starting to show where the team looks more comfortable and where work remains. That initial feedback gives the coaching staff a foundation for tweaking systems, line combinations and special-teams deployment.

Hurricanes home opener test and Guhle’s encouraging step

The home opener at the Bell Centre against the Carolina Hurricanes looms as a significant early challenge. Montreal heads into that matchup with fresh memories of how last season concluded, and a contender-level opponent so early in the year offers a clear measuring stick. How the Canadiens handle matchups, discipline and key situations against Carolina will be closely watched.

On the health front, Kaiden Guhle has returned to practice in a regular jersey, an encouraging sign for his short-term outlook. His presence on the blue line is an important stabilizing element for a defensive group still seeking consistency. Off the ice, anticipation is already building for Alex Ovechkin’s final visit to Montreal, with ticket prices for his last game at the Bell Centre reportedly soaring as fans look to see him one more time.

In the AHL, the Laval Rocket are drawing attention for the environment surrounding the team. The club has become a desirable stop for players, with the atmosphere around the group cited as a key reason, reinforcing the Canadiens’ development pipeline.

Ovechkin’s final season and early NHL storylines

League-wide, Alex Ovechkin’s confirmation that this season will be his last continues to dominate discussion. Retrospectives are revisiting his scoring achievements and the scale of his impact on the Washington Capitals franchise. Commentators also highlight the legacy he will leave in Washington, both for the organization and for fans in the city, and note that he still has milestones in sight before he steps away.

Elsewhere, the Calgary Flames are off to an unconvincing start, prompting early questions about the direction of their season. On the labour front, comments from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman regarding no-trade clauses have drawn reactions from the NHLPA and player agents, who are pushing back in defence of these contract protections.

Injury news is already shaping lineups: the San Jose Sharks are without Macklin Celebrini, while the Ottawa Senators will finish their current road trip minus defenceman Jake Sanderson. Out west, Elias Pettersson is being described as looking like a different player so far, and the Vancouver Canucks see early signs that their overall game is trending upward, even if the sample remains small. Overseas, 40-year-old Alexander Radulov is reported to be having a strong season in the KHL, showing he remains productive well into his veteran years.