5 Canadiens Chasing Milestones in 2026-27 – The Hockey Writers – Montreal Canadiens

While team success will remain the Montreal Canadiens’ top priority in 2026-27, several key players will also have the opportunity to reach significant career milestones along the way. Montreal fans should have plenty of reasons to celebrate throughout the season.

Nick Suzuki Closing in on 500 Career Points

Nick Suzuki has been the heartbeat of the Canadiens ever since taking over as captain, and another milestone is right around the corner. Entering the season with 476 points in 537 career games, Suzuki needs just 24 more points to reach the 500-point plateau.

Given his remarkable consistency over the past several seasons, that milestone should come within the first 10 to 15 games of the schedule. It would be another impressive achievement for a player who has developed into one of the NHL’s most complete centers. Beyond the numbers, Suzuki continues to lead by example on and off the ice and has become one of the league’s most respected captains. Reaching 500 points before his 600th career game would only reinforce his place among the NHL’s elite.

Cole Caufield Aiming for 200 Career Goals

Cole Caufield has established himself as one of hockey’s most dangerous finishers, and he now has another major scoring milestone within reach. Heading into the season with 169 career goals in just 368 games, he needs only 31 more to reach 200.

If he stays healthy, there is little doubt Caufield should hit that mark during the 2026-27 campaign. Scoring goals has never been an issue for the Canadiens’ sniper, and he has become the offensive catalyst every team needs. Reaching 200 goals at such a young age would further cement his status as one of the league’s premier goal scorers while also putting him on pace to climb the Canadiens’ all-time goal-scoring rankings in the years to come.

Phillip Danault Set to Reach 800 NHL Games

Few players have earned everything quite like Phillip Danault. After beginning his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks before becoming one of Montreal’s most reliable two-way forwards, Danault enters the season with 786 career NHL games.

That means he needs just 14 more appearances to become an 800-game player, a milestone that only a small percentage of NHL players ever reach. While Danault has never been known for flashy offensive numbers, his value has always come through his defensive play, faceoff ability and leadership. Reaching 800 games would be a fitting reward for a player who has built a long and successful career through consistency, intelligence and hard work.

Juraj Slafkovsky Nearing Two Milestones

Juraj Slafkovsky has steadily developed into the power forward the Canadiens envisioned when they selected him first overall in 2022. This season could see him reach not one, but two important career milestones.

The Slovak winger needs just 28 goals to record his 100th NHL goal, while he is only 16 points away from reaching 200 for his career. Both marks should be well within reach if he continues producing alongside Montreal’s talented young core.

Those milestones would highlight just how far Slafkovsky has come since his rookie season. His combination of size, skill and improving offensive instincts has made him an important piece of the Canadiens’ future, and reaching both milestones before turning 23 would be another encouraging sign of his continued development.

Lane Hutson Chasing 200 Career Points

It may seem unbelievable considering how recently he entered the league, but Lane Hutson is already closing in on another significant milestone. The dynamic defenseman enters the season just 54 points shy of reaching 200 for his NHL career.

After bursting onto the scene and immediately becoming one of the league’s most productive offensive defensemen, Hutson has shown that his rookie success was no fluke. His elite vision, skating and puck-moving ability have transformed Montreal’s blue line, and another productive season should allow him to reach the milestone before the year is over.

For a defenseman to reach 200 career points this early would be another remarkable accomplishment and yet another reminder that the Canadiens have one of the NHL’s brightest young stars on the back end.

These milestones may be individual achievements, but they are also a reflection of the progress the Canadiens have made as a team. As Montreal looks to build on last season’s success, watching members of its young core and veteran leaders reach career landmarks should make the 2026-27 campaign even more memorable.