Montreal Canadiens' Top 25 Players Since 2000: A Comprehensive Ranking
With the NHL currently on an extended Olympic break, hockey analysts have seized the opportunity to compile a definitive list of the top 25 Montreal Canadiens players since the turn of the century. This ambitious five-part feature series begins by examining players ranked from 21st to 25th, offering detailed insights into their contributions and impact on the storied franchise.
Setting the Historical Context
The Canadiens' journey since 2000 has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. The 2000-01 season saw the team finish last in the Northeast Division with a disappointing 28-40-14 record. Captain Saku Koivu, limited to just 54 games due to a knee injury, and Oleg Petrov tied for team scoring leadership with modest 47-point totals that ranked 114th league-wide. Over the subsequent decades, the Canadiens have experienced more lows than highs, missing the playoffs ten times while achieving two conference final appearances (2009-10 and 2013-14) and one Stanley Cup final berth in 2021.
During this period, the organization has seen significant turnover in leadership, with six different general managers and nine head coaches guiding the team. Remarkably, more than 300 players (331 to be exact) and 28 goaltenders have worn the iconic Canadiens sweater since the 2000-01 season began. From this extensive roster, twenty-five players have distinguished themselves through exceptional performance, longevity, and impact on both the team and its passionate fanbase.
The Ranking Methodology
The selection process for this prestigious list considered multiple factors including personal statistics, individual awards, team impact, fan connection, and career longevity with the organization. This comprehensive approach ensures that the rankings reflect both quantitative achievements and qualitative contributions to the Canadiens' legacy.
Players Ranked 21-25: Detailed Analysis
21st: Jeff Petry – The Defensive Pillar
Jeff Petry emerged as a cornerstone of the Canadiens' defense for eight seasons following his acquisition from the Edmonton Oilers on March 2, 2015. Among defensemen who have played for Montreal since 2000-01, only Andrei Markov (572 points) and P.K. Subban (278 points) have recorded more points than Petry's impressive 70-178-248 totals across 508 regular-season games.
Petry's career-best 46-point season came in 2018-19, followed by a strong 42-point performance in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign. He formed part of the legendary "four Clydesdales" defensive unit alongside Shea Weber, Ben Chiarot, and Joel Edmundson that propelled the Canadiens to the 2021 Stanley Cup final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The defenseman demonstrated remarkable toughness during that playoff run, playing ten games with a broken pinky finger sustained when his hand became caught in a photographer's camera hole in the Bell Centre glass. Petry's dedication was visibly evident when he returned to the lineup with bloodshot eyes from popped blood vessels, an injury he sustained while having his finger set for casting.
22nd: Mike Matheson – The Versatile Leader
General Manager Kent Hughes secured a capable replacement for Petry when he orchestrated a July 2022 trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins that brought Mike Matheson to Montreal. Since his arrival, Matheson has become integral to the Canadiens' rebuilding efforts, both on the ice and in the locker room.
The assistant captain has embraced every role assigned by head coach Martin St. Louis, transitioning seamlessly from quarterbacking the top power-play unit to becoming a key penalty killer after yielding his power-play position to Lane Hutson. Matheson responded to offensive expectations in his first season with career-high 62 points (11 goals, 51 assists), though with a minus-24 differential.
This season has seen Matheson excel in a more defensive capacity, matching up against opponents' top lines while maintaining respectable 28-point production and an impressive plus-14 rating through 54 games. Since 2000-01, no Canadiens player has averaged more total ice time per game than Matheson's 25:04 minutes, surpassing even P.K. Subban's 24:34 average. The organization recognized his value with a substantial five-year, $30 million contract extension in November that extends through the 2030-31 season.
Teammate Cole Caufield praised Matheson's defensive capabilities, noting his consistent ability to shut down elite opponents while providing calming presence on the blue line.
23rd: Juraj Slafkovsky – The Rising Star
The 21-year-old Slovak forward has blossomed in his fourth NHL season since being selected first overall in the 2022 draft. Slafkovsky has already established a new career high with 21 goals through 57 games and projects to reach the 30-goal milestone this season. With 45 total points, he stands just six points shy of matching last season's career-best 51-point performance.
During the 27 games preceding the Olympic break, Slafkovsky formed part of what has become the NHL's most promising young forward line alongside rookies Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov, accumulating an impressive 29 points during that stretch. The winger attributes much of his development to coach Martin St. Louis' patience and consistent trust during challenging periods.
24th: Ivan Demidov – The Exceptional Rookie
Despite having played only 59 regular-season NHL games, Ivan Demidov's exceptional talent warrants inclusion on this list. The 20-year-old Russian forward leads all NHL rookies in scoring with 46 points (12 goals, 34 assists) through 57 games this season. Demidov maintains a unique approach to his game, emphasizing individuality rather than modeling his style after established NHL players.
Selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, Demidov represents a rare talent whose continued development promises to elevate his standing in future rankings of Canadiens players.
25th: David Desharnais – The Undrafted Success Story
The 5-foot-7 center defied expectations by playing eight seasons with the Canadiens despite going undrafted. Desharnais developed exceptional chemistry with Max Pacioretty, serving as his primary center during five of Pacioretty's 30-goal seasons. His career-best 60-point campaign in 2011-12 coincided with Pacioretty's 33-goal performance, while his 52-point season in 2013-14 aligned with Pacioretty's career-high 39 goals.
Desharnais ranks 11th in Canadiens scoring since 2000-01 with 250 points (79 goals, 171 assists) in 435 games. His journey to the NHL began with an invitation to the 2007 rookie camp as a favor to then-coach Guy Carbonneau, followed by a dominant ECHL season where he led the league with 106 points and helped the Cincinnati Cyclones win the championship before making his Canadiens debut two seasons later.
This ranking represents just the beginning of the comprehensive evaluation, with subsequent installments promising detailed analysis of players ranked 16-20 in the coming days.
