The Montreal Canadiens’ 3 most disappointing players in the 2024-25 season – Hockey Writer – Montreal Canadiens

It’s been a surprising season for the Montreal Canadians. Entering the season, expectation is modest at best, with most analysts predicting another rebuilding sport. However, Habs violated the odds, remained competitive and remained solid and remained stable in the playoff game. Montreal exacerbates the whole league’s mind in a fusion of young energy, steady goalkeepers and resilient group mindsets. However, not everything clicks perfectly. These three guys are overwhelmed with Montreal this season.

Cayden Primeau

Cayden Primeau started the Canadiens’ back-up goalkeeper and finally got a real shot to solidify his role at the NHL level. After years of development and flashing potential, expecting to be cautiously optimistic, which should be his chance to prove that he belongs. But Primeau struggled, performed inconsistently, and did not provide the stability needed behind Samuel Montembeault. His rebound control and decision-making under pressure remained shaky, and it soon became apparent that Habs could not rely on him in the playoffs.

By December, Montreal called him to take him to Laval, which clearly showed that the experiment was not working. Jakub Dobeš made a nod and immediately showed his relief duties. Dobeš, though still alive, brought energy and concentration into the crease, giving Canadians a chance to win when asked. For Primeau, this season felt like a missed opportunity, and now makes his long-term future doubtful in the organization.

Primeau ended with a 2-3-1 record with 4.70 goal average (GAA) and .836 savings percentage in 11 games against the Canadiens. The number of goalkeepers in at least 10 games is worse than the 25-year-old goalkeeper. In Laval, with the Rockets, Primeau showed off some good stuff. When writing these lines, his record is 20-2-2 records and a solid 2.00 GAA.

Arber Xhekaj

Arber Xhekaj entered the season with high expectations on a solid second campaign, making him a reputation as one of the league’s most worrying physical ideas. Many people think he will take another step to consolidate himself as a regular visitor to the Canadian Blue Line. But the next step has never been truly achieved. Xhekaj struggled with defensive consistency and discipline, and although his body never had problems, his overall impact began to fade as the season took place.

Eventually, he lost his place as Jayden Struble, who brought a more balanced, stable presence in the backend. Struble’s reliable game and calm decisions made it difficult for Xhekaj to re-enter the roster. In a season where Habs could have used his strengths and energy to extend, Xhekaj simply couldn’t get promoted and take back his position.

Related: Arber Xhekaj and the Future of Canadians

Xhekaj has played a total of 70 games this season and has recorded one goal and five assists. The 24-year-old defensive player is losing 13, the worst of any Canadian defender this season. This leaves us with questions about his suitability for Montreal’s long-term plan.

Kirby Dach

Kirby Dach’s season was derailed again by injury and despite the unfortunate timing, he was underperformed. In a promising 2022-23 campaign, he hopes he can consolidate himself as a key part of the six-shot first six fixtures and a young Montreal core. But even before he was injured, Dah looked like he had another step. He struggled to create a consistent offense, seemed hesitant at a critical moment and might still feel the effects of his previous injuries.

He has just 10 goals and 12 assists in 57 games, scoring 22 points while ending the season with a significant negative 29 rating. These numbers are incredible for players who are expected to make a significant leap. Dach’s game still has potential, but the tough reminder development of this season isn’t always linear, and the Canadian is still waiting for him to really explode.

Dach’s excellent season left the Canadians with questions about their second-tier central role moving forward. With Nick Suzuki firmly ingrained, Montreal hopes Dach will seize the opportunity to anchor the second unit and provide much-needed depth of offense in the middle. Instead, his inconsistent game and lack of production created a clear gap in the lineup before the injury – one never fully filled. As the team looks forward, it is unclear whether DACH can be a long-term solution or whether the organization needs to consolidate elsewhere is crucial.

Although Primeau, Xhekaj and Dach all have impressive seasons for different reasons, their struggles have not masked the bigger picture. Primeau missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lock in backup jobs, Xhekaj was unable to capture his position on the blue line, and despite high expectations, Dach failed to make an impact before suffering another tough injury. However, despite its disappointment, the Canadians have found a way to stay competitive and surprisingly make it to the playoffs, which few can do in October. The emergence of young talent, improved structures and resilient team identity, far outweighs setbacks. Even with some individual performances insufficient, Montreal’s progress is undeniable.