Martin St. Louis, now sporting a salt-and-pepper beard, has firmly established himself as the most impactful coach for the Montreal Canadiens since the legendary Scotty Bowman. Hired under unique circumstances, the Hall of Famer is not just managing but reinventing the coaching role on the fly, leading the most electrifying edition of the Habs in decades.
A Calm Demeanor, A Fiery Competitor
Unlike many of his peers who often appear tense on the bench, St. Louis projects a thoughtful, almost concerned presence. However, this calm exterior belies the intense competitive fire that burns within—a trait observers have compared to the legendary Maurice Richard. His approach is a stark departure from traditional methods: where others might scream, St. Louis talks. Where others rant, he listens. This philosophy is resonating deeply with a remarkably young roster.
Developing Talent and Defying Critics
St. Louis's player-centric method is yielding spectacular results, particularly with the team's youth. He is expertly guiding a group that includes two strong Calder Trophy candidates and has overseen the development of players like Lane Hutson, last season's Calder winner. The coach's ability to work with veterans and rookies alike was highlighted by columnist Jack Todd, who suggested St. Louis would have found a way to integrate a superstar like Guy Lafleur seamlessly, in contrast to past regimes.
This success has silenced early-season doubters. As recently as mid-December, some commentators questioned his job security as he passed a personal four-year coaching milestone. Todd emphatically dismissed such speculation, noting that general manager Kent Hughes and executive vice president Jeff Gorton are brilliant managers who recognize St. Louis is "a hire for the ages." The coach has navigated a rash of injuries—at one point six regulars were out—and a prolonged stretch of shaky goaltending with remarkable poise.
On-Ice Results: A Return to Glory
The tangible outcomes of St. Louis's system are now undeniable. Following a solid road trip, back-to-back wins over the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers in early January 2026 evoked the workmanlike, reliable victories of Bowman's 1970s dynasty teams. The current squad is both high-scoring and entertaining, looking "connected" in all phases of the game.
The individual performances speak volumes: Alexandre Texier notched a hat trick, Cole Caufield unleashed one of the best shots of his career, and Juraj Slafkovsky continues to produce points consistently. Rookie Oliver Kapanen, who also kills penalties, led all first-year players with 15 goals after a three-point night against Florida, while linemate Ivan Demidov paced all rookies with 36 points. The organization bolstered the roster with a trade for experienced centre Phillip Danault, who has solidified team defence and the penalty kill.
As of the writing of the original column on January 9, 2026, the proof was in the standings: the Canadiens held a record of 25-13-6 for 56 points, tying them for first place in the Atlantic Division. For his transformative work, Todd argued the NHL should award St. Louis the Jack Adams Trophy for coach of the year—perhaps even cast in solid gold. The torch of great Canadiens coaches, passed from Dick Irvin Sr. to Toe Blake to Scotty Bowman, has found its next bearer in Martin St. Louis.
