Montreal Canadiens supporters experiencing the typical rollercoaster of a young team's season have reason for profound gratitude this holiday season. While their Habs navigate the ups and downs of a promising rebuild, fans in Vancouver are enduring a catastrophic collapse of their franchise.
A Tale of Two Franchises: Rebuild vs. De-Build
The contrast between the two Canadian NHL teams could not be more stark. The Montreal Canadiens are methodically completing what analysts call a model rebuild, stocking their roster with young talent and building a cohesive future. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks are deep into what columnist Jack Todd describes as a "de-build"—a rapid dismantling of a team that finished first in the Pacific Division with 109 points just two seasons ago.
This divergence was highlighted in mid-December 2025 as the Canadiens, despite fielding a lineup with six rookies and missing four key regulars to long-term injuries, managed to secure points against tough competition. They took on Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins, earned a point after failing to hold a three-goal lead against the New York Rangers, and then shut down Connor McDavid's Edmonton Oilers at the Bell Centre.
The Canucks' Stunning Downfall
Vancouver's descent from contender to cellar-dweller is a case study in failed management. The team's core has been systematically traded away, culminating in the deal that sent star defenceman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. Hughes, who won the Norris Trophy after a 92-point season in 2023-24, was once a beacon of hope.
The collapse began subtly. The Canucks let captain Bo Horvat, a 30-goal scorer, depart in a trade with the New York Islanders. The internal dynamics then soured completely, with a "festering cold war" between centremen J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson reportedly destroying the team from within. Miller was traded back to the New York Rangers, an admission of the failed experiment.
The move did not spark Pettersson, however. His production plummeted to 15 goals and 45 points last season, making his $11.6 million annual cap hit through 2032 one of the league's most burdensome contracts. The piecemeal, scattergun approach to team-building has left the Canucks as the worst team in the NHL with no clear path forward.
Montreal's Youthful Promise
In stark relief, the Canadiens' path, though inconsistent, is unified and full of promise. Coach Martin St. Louis can be "really pissed" one night after a sloppy loss, as forward Joe Veleno noted, but the team's effort and youth are undeniable. The win over Edmonton featured a symbolic moment when Veleno scored a goal off a pass from Connor McDavid after a turnover, a story for the grandkids.
The Habs' blueprint relies on a growing core of young stars like Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, and captain Nick Suzuki, complemented by recent high draft picks. Their rebuild is described as cohesive and comprehensive, the polar opposite of Vancouver's failed strategy.
Astonishingly, the Vancouver fan base has not revolted against management, a scenario unthinkable in Montreal where, as Todd notes, executives would be "on their way to the airport with their tails on fire."
As the holidays approach, the message for Canadiens faithful is clear: appreciate the structured journey your team is on. The occasional whiplash from a young squad's inconsistencies is a far cry from the despair of watching a franchise implode. The model rebuild in Montreal offers hope; the de-build in Vancouver offers only gloom.
