The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have already delivered their fair share of drama, but few moments have been as electrifying as the post-series handshake between the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals. After a hard-fought five-game battle, emotions ran high on the ice at Capital One Arena, culminating in a memorable exchange between Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis and Capitals bench boss Spencer Carbery.

But it wasn’t just the action on the ice that had fans and analysts buzzing. In the aftermath of Washington’s series-clinching victory, Spencer Carbery took to the podium and delivered a press conference that quickly became the talk of the hockey world. His candid reflections on the Canadiens’ playoff run, the team’s young stars, and the unpredictable future of Montreal hockey sent shockwaves through the NHL community.

While the Canadiens may have seen their postseason hopes dashed, Carbery’s remarks offered both a sobering assessment and a surprising sense of optimism about what lies ahead for the storied franchise. As the Capitals prepare for their next challenge, the entire league is left pondering the impact of Carbery’s words—and what they might mean for the future of the Montreal Canadiens.

Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Spencer Carbery, the Washington Capitals’ head coach, made shocking comments after eliminating the Montreal Canadiens from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It might have been a disappointing turnout for the Montreal Canadiens, but there is a lot of positivity to lean on after their first playoff run since losing in five games to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.

First, no one expected the Canadiens to actually reach the playoffs. While other teams’ tough seasons helped the Habs achieve what they did, they still managed to bounce back from the last spot in the NHL standings to being in the playoffs.

Second, what they learned in the past two weeks will provide valuable tools as they look to make their way back to the playoffs.

Finally, the future is bright in Montreal. Even if the team got eliminated in only five games, all games were tightly disputed and the young core competed very well.

In his press conference, the Washington Capitals’ head coach Spencer Carbery talked about the Canadiens for nearly four minutes.

Spencer Carbery shares unfiltered thoughts on the Montreal Canadiens’ future

He opened up on many topics, but started with the top line and Lane Hutson, notably comparing them to the Lightning’s leaders Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, about how teams need to have a special game plan when they’re on the ice. He raised the question: what will it be in 10 years?

In his own words:

“Okay, so one of the things about that top line-and what Lane Hutson has become this year-that’s big-time stuff in this league. What they’re able to do five-on-five is impressive. And as an opposing coach, you really have to prepare for them.

I remember when I was in Toronto facing Tampa Bay with Kucherov and Point. At that time, they had a rotating mix on the wing, but we had to build an entire game plan around that line. I remember this clearly-it’s something that stands out when you’re on the bench. You’ve got coaches and players constantly asking: «Is Kucherov on? Is Point on?» You’re just trying to figure out who’s coming over the boards.

It’s the same thing with Suzuki. It really is-and that’s the highest compliment I can give. I understand there’s more to talk about with the team, and I’ll get to that in a sec. But those guys have reached that level five-on-five where you absolutely have to pre-scout and match up against them-or they’ll make you pay.

And the thing is, they’re still so young. You start to imagine what the next 10 years will look like, and honestly, I don’t even want to go there yet. But it’s a scary thought, in a good way.”

Then, he talked about the veteran group and Sam Montembeault, highlighting the balance in the Habs’ lineup:

“They also have a good complement around them-like Montembeault. His absence obviously hurts the team. He was phenomenal early in the season and early in the series. Then they’ve got guys like Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher, and everyone’s talking about Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia. So there’s this blend of veteran, heavy, playoff-style players who know what it takes-combined with young, skilled players who are dangerous every time they step on the ice.

It’s a good mix and a good balance.”

Finally, he opened up on Ivan Demidov, comparing him to Ryan Leonard, who also had nearly no NHL experience before entering the playoffs, and simply ended by saying the future is bright in Montreal:

“And then you’ve got the Demidov kid coming. I didn’t want to say anything earlier because I thought, «If I mention him being so young, he’s going to go out and put up three points and I’ll look like a fool.» But he and Lenny are in similar spots. It’s tough-those guys are just trying to survive their shifts at five-on-five. On the power play, Demidov was excellent on that top unit.

But five-on-five? It’s tough. Still, they’re going to have incredible careers. Throwing them into a playoff series right away-same thing for Ryan Leonard-it’s a lot. We were trying to think of the last guys who came in right at the end of the season and made a big impact in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. You have to go all the way back to guys like Chris Kreider or Cale Makar.

You’re right-it’s not an easy league, especially at this time of year, for players coming out of college or the KHL. It’s a handful.

So, long-winded way of saying: the Montreal Canadiens have a very bright future.”

Listen to his full comments here:

Carbery and the Caps will prepare to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the playoffs.