Canadiens set opening roster as Xhekaj sticks, Kapanen sidelined and Marchenko joins Leafs

With pre-season now behind them, the Montreal Canadiens have locked in their 2026‑27 opening-night roster, settling the last battles for spots. Forward Florian Xhekaj has earned a place among the 23 players who will start the year in Montreal, while Oliver Kapanen will miss time with a lower‑body injury. At the same time, winger Kirill Marchenko, who had been mentioned as a possible fit for the Canadiens, is instead on his way to the Toronto Maple Leafs after being acquired and signed there.

Xhekaj makes the team, Reinbacher awaits NHL test and second line draws praise

Xhekaj’s inclusion is one of the more notable outcomes of camp. The young forward survived the final cuts, but the next challenge will be carving out a regular role in Martin St. Louis’s lineup. How often he dresses and where he slots in the forward group will be early-season storylines to monitor.

On defence, there is growing sentiment that David Reinbacher needs time in the NHL to properly gauge his readiness. The right-shot blueliner has progressed through each stage since being drafted, and decisions on when and how to insert him into the league are among the most important facing management. Up front, Montreal’s second line has drawn positive reviews, giving St. Louis a more credible one-two punch behind the top unit as the schedule begins.

Kapanen’s lower‑body injury, however, complicates the depth chart. His absence trims the Canadiens’ options at both centre and wing, and could open extra opportunity for other young forwards trying to secure permanent roles. The organization is leaning heavily on continuity in its core group, a path reinforced by not landing Marchenko via trade and staying away from major last-minute changes to the roster.

Danault still surprises, Suzuki faces his brother and St. Louis leans on process

Former Hab Phillip Danault continues to draw attention around the league. Despite being a well-established veteran, recent analysis suggests he is still surprising people with just how much impact he has on his team’s results. In Montreal, captain Nick Suzuki experienced a milestone moment by facing his brother on NHL ice for the first time during the pre-season, a marker of how far both siblings have come.

Behind the bench, St. Louis has emphasized process and incremental progress as the foundation for pushing the Canadiens toward contention. Local coverage in recent days has focused on expectations for the club in the short term, highlighting key choices at forward, on defence and in goal. Discussion has also turned to how the second line can support scoring, and how the presence of established wingers such as Chris Kreider factors into broader roster debates around the league.

Marchenko to Toronto and wider NHL notes as season looms

On the transaction front, Marchenko’s move to Toronto has been one of the most dissected league-wide stories. The Maple Leafs traded for the winger and promptly signed him to a new deal, prompting detailed breakdowns of how his addition could reshape their attack and shake up the Eastern Conference playoff picture. For Montreal, it means staying the course with its existing forward group rather than reshuffling salary commitments to fit in another high-end winger.

Elsewhere, several teams are managing key early-season questions. The Ottawa Senators are trying to keep their pre-season momentum alive despite a longer-than-usual gap before their opener. In Carolina, Seth Jarvis is still working his way back from surgery, while the Vancouver Canucks are hoping to have goaltender Thatcher Demko back by the holidays. In Pittsburgh, neither Sidney Crosby nor the Penguins appear overly concerned about the lack of a contract extension at this stage.

League-wide preview content is in full swing, from lists of players to watch to bold predictions and anonymous polling of coaches and goalies on the NHL’s netminders. The Minnesota Wild have introduced a media award in honour of late reporter Jessi Pierce, and the Washington Capitals carved out time away from the rink for team-bonding activities before the season. All of it sets the stage for what is expected to be a punishing Eastern Conference, where the Canadiens will attempt to climb the standings with a settled roster and a process-driven approach.