The Montreal Canadiens have sent shockwaves through the hockey world yet again, following a press conference earlier today that left fans buzzing and insiders scrambling for answers.

Head coach Martin St. Louis stepped up to the podium and, in a rare move, directly addressed the swirling rumors that have dominated headlines for weeks—confirming not one, but two major stories involving key players who could shape the fate of Montreal’s season.

For those who’ve been following the whispers about late-night training sessions and secret summer workouts, the truth is finally out.

Patrik Laine, whose arrival in Montreal was already a headline-grabber, has reportedly undergone a dramatic transformation behind closed doors. But what does this mean for the team’s future?

And is the Canadiens’ coaching staff seeing something fans haven’t witnessed before?

And just as the crowd was absorbing that revelation, St. Louis dropped another bombshell about Kirby Dach’s role this season, hinting at a strategic shift that could redefine Montreal’s lineup.

With both confirmations now public, questions abound: Will these changes propel the Canadiens to new heights? Could this be the start of something truly special? The answers—and the full story—are just a scroll away.

Photo of Martin St-Louis

Photo credit: X/Canadiens

Earlier today at a press conference, Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis confirmed the circulating rumors about Patrik Laine.

For the past few weeks, rumors have suggested that Laine spent most of his summer on the ice in Brossard, sometimes even late at night with Ivan Demidov.

We’ve had some footage and confirmations, notably thanks to the excellent work of Pat Hockey and “Frank Well Le Podcast Hockey,” but now Martin St. Louis has confirmed it himself:

Patrik Laine worked extremely hard this summer.

So the impression we had was not wrong.

Martin St. Louis confirms that Patrik Laine gave it his all this summer and that we should see the best version of Laine this season

What excellent news!

“I think we haven’t yet seen the true version of Patty, due to everything that happened [in the past few years and before he arrived in Montreal], but now he comes here familiar with us, understanding how things are done in Montreal.

It’s no longer a new city for him.

I’m so excited about all the work he has done this summer.”

– Martin St. Louis

He believes we will see the best version of Patrik Laine.

Martin St. Louis: “for me, what I see with the amount of work he put in the summer, we might see the best version of Patty Laine.”

Speaking of rumors confirmed by Martin St. Louis, the Montreal Canadiens head coach also confirmed that Kirby Dach will start the season as his second-line center.

Martin St-Louis confirms that Kirby Dach will start the season as the No. 2 center!

“From the start, Dach will fill that hole.”

– St-Louis

So these are two great confirmations regarding two players who are crucial to the Canadiens’ success.

With the best versions of Laine and Dach, the Canadiens could really make an impact this season.

The full press conference is right here:

It’s on!