The Montreal Canadiens’ encouraging start to the 2025-26 season has hit its first major roadblock. After already dealing with a series of injuries to key players, the team announced that Patrik Laine will be missing three to four months with a core muscle injury. Laine may not have quite found his rhythm yet, but his shooting ability and attacking presence are unique weapons that the Canadiens will now have to live without well into the season.
The challenge ahead isn’t just about replacing Laine’s targets, it’s about managing the ripple effects in the lineup, protecting the team’s identity and ensuring no one is forced into a role they can’t handle. The Habs will have to rely on their organizational depth, their player development system and possibly even some outside help to stay on track during this stretch.
The injury
Laine’s absence changes the Canadiens’ lineup significantly. Over the past few games, Montreal had already recalled Owen Beck and Joshua Roy from the Laval Rocket to cover short-term injuries. Kirby Dach and Laine. Now that Laine has been absent for several months, the organization is faced with a longer-term adjustment.
Laine’s role was somewhat limited early in the season. He skated on the second power play unit and averaged fewer minutes per game than most regular forwards, but his shooting threat alone opened up space for others. Losing him removes a valuable weapon from an already young offensive group.
With Laine sidelined, Joe Veleno will remain firmly in the line-up. The concern now shifts to the next potential injury: if another top-nine forward goes down, who will be next? Montreal’s depth will be stretched thin, and it’s becoming clear that the team’s margin for error is smaller than it seemed just a few weeks ago.
Depth and possible solutions
The Canadiens still have several paths forward. The most natural option is to rely on their internal depth. Players like Roy, Beck and even Florian Xhekaj, when recalled for a spark, are the first candidates to fill open spots or take on bigger roles. Roy has shown the ability to generate attacks and play smart under pressure, while Beck brings structure, energy and mutual reliability. Giving them more opportunities can benefit both the players and the organization in the long run.
These kinds of setbacks can accelerate growth. The Canadiens’ rebuild has always emphasized internal development and patience, and this situation presents an opportunity to test that philosophy in real time. Relying on their American Hockey League (AHL) pipeline instead of rushing to make a move could strengthen the team’s cohesion and identity.
Related: Canadiens are a better team without Patrik Laine
That said, external help should not be ruled out. General manager Kent Hughes could explore waivers for a cheap bottom-six forward for the short term, or consider a small trade for a veteran who can stabilize the lineup. The goal isn’t to replace Laine’s offensive ceiling (which few can do), but to keep the lineup from becoming unbalanced.
Depth will be tested
Montreal’s depth has already been tested this season and is about to go even further. With Kaiden Guhle expected to miss four to six weeks and Dach just returning, Laine’s extended absence increases the pressure on the roster. The Canadiens have managed to stay competitive despite the adversity, but every injury destroys their ability to compete night after night.
One decision that hurts now more than ever is the loss of Sammy Blais off waivers to the Toronto Maple Leafs. His physicality and experience could have provided exactly the kind of insurance the team needs right now. Instead, the Canadiens must look inward and find creative ways to plug the holes.
But adversity often reveals character. This period will give players like Beck and Roy the opportunity to earn regular spots, and it will challenge the coaching staff to find combinations that maintain competitiveness without overloading the young core. The team’s resilience early in the season suggests they are coping well.
Montreal’s success this season will not only depend on talent, but also on how effectively they deal with obstacles. Every participant goes through waves of injuries; for the Canadiens, this is the first big test of how far their depth and development system has come.
Laine’s injury is a setback, but it shouldn’t derail Montreal’s season. The Canadiens have built their roster with enough internal competition and flexibility to withstand tough stretches. If handled properly, this can even become a development opportunity that strengthens the organization in the long term.
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