Legendary sports reporter Stan Fischler writes a weekly column for NHL.com. Also known as "The Hockey Maven," he shares his insight and wit with readers each Wednesday. With the Montreal Canadiens signing coach Martin St. Louis and forward Chris Kreider, they’ve evolved into Stanley Cup contenders, perhaps sooner than many imagined.
It came to me from out of the bleu.
NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen floored me with a delightful prediction about the Montreal Canadiens by blending vim, vigor and vitality.
In his recent listing of "Stanley Cup contenders for 2026-27," Rosen bypassed the reigning champion Carolina Hurricanes and runner-up Vegas Golden Knights, choosing Montreal to become the first Canada-based NHL team to hoist Lord Stanley since it most recently did so in 1993.
After reading Rosen’s piece last week, “The Maven” nearly plotzed in amazement. But I quickly rearranged my brainwaves and read my colleague's convincing rationale.
"All the boxes are checked for the Canadiens," Rosen wrote. "They've got experience now."
After gulping two aspirins and a glass of water, I sunk into deep thought. I’m well aware Rosen is one of the best journalists since Remington invented the typewriter. He's as serious about hockey as Einstein was to relativity.
He made me believe.
But I wanted more proof, so I sought those who know the Canadiens best, those potentially willing to second Rosen's daring motion. I began with NHL.com's independent correspondent in Montreal.
"In this first rebuild in Canadiens history, the sky's the limit," Sean Farrell told me via email. "The Habs have met and exceeded expectations every season since the new regime began with the hiring of Jeff Gorton in 2021.
“And now they have Chris Kreider."
Kreider sounded like a kid in Macy's toy department on Christmas Eve after signing a one-year contract shortly after the 35-year-old had his deal with the Anaheim Ducks terminated. He could barely curb his enthusiasm after trying on the bleu, blanc et rouge.
"I'm thrilled to be a Canadien," said Kreider, who ranks third in New York Rangers history in goals (326) and fifth in games played (883). "It's the way they do things -- the culture they've built, the group they have. I'm excited."
NHL EDGE stats underlined the point, and NHL.com's fantasy staff cited three pivotal elements Kreider brings to a game -- "high-danger prowess; goals scored on tip-ins and deflections and skating speed."
St.Louis, who was Kreider's teammate in New York for two seasons (2013-15), raved about his 6-3, 232-pound roster addition.
"We needed more experience, more sandpaper, and a net-front guy; Chris checks all boxes, but all boxes don't matter unless he's a quality human being,” St. Louis said. “It starts with that."
Montreal’s renaissance comes after a three-year Stanley Cup Playoff drought (2021-24). It began when owner Geoff Molson hired Jeff Gorton as executive vice president of hockey operations on Nov. 28, 2021.
Gorton then hired Kent Hughes as general manager on Jan. 18, 2022, and St.Louis as coach on Feb. 9, 2022. St. Louis signed a new four-year contract through the 2029-30 season on Sept. 14.
"Management and St. Louis have done a terrific job of building a young, talented core," NHL Network analyst Ken Daneyko told me in an email. "Hughes and Gorton know what they're doing in hockey opps."
There is a brotherly spirit evident in the Canadiens’ locker room too. When forward Josh Anderson was named alternate captain on Sept.14, teammates reacted with high school rah-rah spirit. Anderson scored five goals in 19 playoff games last season, helping Montreal reach the Eastern Conference Final.
"Josh is a great fit," captain Nick Suzuki said. "The way he carries himself, the way he treats his teammates, the way he plays on the ice. He does everything for the benefit of the team, especially the big impact he had for us in the playoffs last spring."
Historians see a connection between the contemporary sextet and the 1970-71 Canadiens, who pulled off a monumental postseason upset led by rookie goalie Ken Dryden.
Montreal defeated the defending champion Boston Bruins -- anchored by Hall of Famers Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito -- in seven games of the quarterfinal round. It was the prelude to its march to a Stanley Cup championship.
This edition also features another promising goalie; Jakub Dobes had a 2.66 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage and nine wins last postseason, including Game 7 in each of the first two rounds.
"Will Dobes deliver playoff MVP goaltending to give Montreal its 25th Cup title?" Farrell asks.
Rosen certainly believes it could happen. Upon further review, The Maven does too.
