As the Montreal Canadiens gear up for what promises to be an electrifying 2025-26 NHL season, optimism is running high among fans and analysts alike.

With rising stars like Ivan Demidov set to make his debut, and young talents such as Zachary Bolduc and Patrik Laine ready to prove themselves, the future in Montreal has rarely looked brighter.

Captain Nick Suzuki, alongside Cole Caufield, is poised to lead a dynamic offense that could push the team to new heights.

Yet, beneath this wave of excitement, a potential storm is brewing elsewhere in the league—one that could have far-reaching consequences for the Canadiens and their supporters.

While all eyes are on Montreal’s promising lineup, a developing situation involving their archrivals, the Boston Bruins, threatens to disrupt the narrative.

With the Bruins coming off a disappointing season and rumors swirling about their interest in top prospect Gavin McKenna, the stakes are suddenly much higher.

Could Boston’s struggles lead to a dramatic shift in the balance of power, bringing new stars into their fold and reigniting one of hockey’s fiercest rivalries?

The answer remains uncertain, but the implications could be game-changing. Discover what might be lurking beneath the surface in this season’s most intriguing storyline.

Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes (left) Sad Montreal fans (right)

Photo credit: All Habs

The Montreal Canadiens will attempt to make the 2026 playoffs after surprising many last spring.

While the future looks very promising in Montreal, one situation across the NHL should be closely watched – and it could spell bad news for Canadiens fans.

It’s been a long time since the future looked this exciting for the Canadiens organization, and everyone is eagerly waiting to see Ivan Demidov play his first NHL season in 2025-26.

Zachary Bolduc is joining the team, and at only 22 years old, the right winger recorded 19 goals and 36 points in 72 games last season. According to projections from Daily Faceoff, he would play on Demidov’s line alongside Kirby Dach – though Dach’s health status remains a hot topic.

Patrik Laine is working hard this summer, and the forward rarely seemed so determined to succeed. The Finn is putting in serious effort on the ice and is confident about making a strong comeback. Moreover, he appears happy to be in the beautiful province and is well-liked by his teammates.

Captain Nick Suzuki will again lead the offense along with his sidekick Cole Caufield. Could number 14 hit the 100-point mark? He definitely has the talent to do it.

If the Boston Bruins Start the Season Poorly, They May Quickly Turn Their Attention to Gavin McKenna

While everything seems to be going well in Montreal right now, some bad news could be looming – the rival Boston Bruins are keeping a close eye on Gavin McKenna.

Don Sweeney has remained rather quiet in Boston, and the team no longer has the services of captain Brad Marchand.

The club’s situation is unclear – they finished 28th in the NHL during the 2024-25 season with a 33-39-10 record for a total of 76 points.

The team still has solid assets, including star forward David Pastrnak, who is under contract through 2031.

But we can bet that Sweeney will be closely watching the start of next season. If his team struggles at the bottom of the standings, he may begin selling off assets to enter the draft lottery and go after Gavin McKenna.

If Boston ends up at the bottom and secures McKenna, the phenom would join the talented James Hagens, who was selected 7th overall in 2025.

Gavin McKenna and James Hagens on the Bruins? That’s certainly a scenario Montreal Canadiens fans hope to avoid.