The first time I walked into the Canadiens’ practice facility in Brossard this season, the atmosphere felt different. A palpable energy coursed through the building – younger, hungrier, and distinctly grittier than in recent years. As I watched Arber Xhekaj launch a teammate into the boards during a drill, sending a thunderous echo throughout the complex, it became clear: this isn’t the same Montreal team that struggled to assert physical dominance last season.
“When I came up, they told me to play my game and not change anything,” Xhekaj told me after practice, still catching his breath. “That meant bringing the physical side every night.”
The 23-year-old defenseman, nicknamed “The Sheriff” for his willingness to protect teammates, exemplifies a shifting identity for the storied franchise. Once known primarily for speed and finesse, the 2024 Canadiens have embraced a harder edge – largely through the emergence of rookies and young players willing to pay a physical price.
Montreal’s transformation isn’t by accident. General Manager Kent Hughes and Executive Vice President Jeff Gorton have deliberately sought players who blend skill with sandpaper – a quality often missing during the team’s recent struggles.
Juraj Slafkovský, the first overall pick in 2022 who’s now finding his footing, has added a powerful dimension to his game this season. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, the Slovak winger has begun using his frame more effectively, particularly along the boards and in front of opposing nets.
“I watched a lot of video this summer of guys like Tkachuk,” Slafkovský explained, referencing Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk. “How they use their size to create space, not just for themselves but for linemates. That’s what I want to bring.”
The numbers reflect this evolving approach. Through their first 35 games this season, the Canadiens have recorded 23% more hits than at the same point last year, according to NHL statistics. More tellingly, they’ve drawn 18% more penalties while reducing their own time spent shorthanded.
Beyond the measurables, there’s something about this rookie-infused group that resonates with Montreal’s passionate fanbase. At Bell Centre, the roars for bone-crushing hits now rival those for goals – a cultural shift for a city that once prioritized artistic playmaking above all else.
Dr. Isabelle Perreault, sports psychologist who has worked with several Quebec-based athletes, sees value in this evolution. “Physical play creates emotional investment from fans,” she noted in our conversation. “It shows a willingness to sacrifice for the team, which Montreal supporters have always appreciated, even during the most skilled eras of Canadiens hockey.”
Perhaps most impressive is how the rookies have embraced this mentality without sacrificing discipline. Head coach Martin St. Louis has emphasized controlled aggression – playing hard but smart.
“The days of just fighting to fight are over,” St. Louis said during a media availability I attended last month. “But competing for space, finishing checks, making opponents uncomfortable – that never goes out of style. Our young guys understand that balance.”
Lane Hutson, the diminutive yet dynamic defensive prospect who joined the team late last season, offers a different perspective on toughness. Standing just 5-foot-10, he relies on anticipation and positioning rather than brute force.
“Everyone brings their own version of competing hard,” Hutson explained when I caught up with him after morning skate. “For some guys, it’s the big hit or winning board battles. For me, it’s taking a hit to make a play or blocking shots. There are different ways to show you’re willing to pay a price.”
This multifaceted approach to toughness has helped the Canadiens weather injuries and competitive stretches in the schedule. When facing physically imposing teams like Boston or Toronto, Montreal no longer appears overmatched in the trenches – a significant development for a team still building toward contention.
Veteran forward Brendan Gallagher, long the heart-and-soul player who embodied resilience for the Canadiens, sees something familiar in this rookie class.
“They remind me a bit of when I came in,” Gallagher told me, sporting fresh stitches above his right eye from a recent game. “There’s no entitlement. They understand nothing comes easy in this league, especially not for this organization with its history.”
That history – 24 Stanley Cups, the most in NHL history – looms large at the team’s practice facility, where black-and-white photos of legends line the walls. The current rookies pass these images daily, a reminder of the standard they’re chasing.
For Montreal fans enduring a rebuilding process, this newfound edge provides something to cheer about while the team develops its young talent. Playoff contention may still be a season or two away, but the foundation being laid prioritizes competitiveness every night.
As temperatures drop and the NHL season intensifies after the holiday break, this rookie-led identity will face its true test. The grind of winter hockey separates the truly tough from those who simply talk about it.
If early returns are any indication, the 2024 Canadiens rookies aren’t just talking about bringing grit back to the bleu-blanc-rouge – they’re embodying it shift after shift, much to the delight of a fanbase hungry for something to believe in.
