With the Montreal Canadiens improving significantly year after year, finding underrated players is becoming harder. However, on a team that is shaping up to be a contender, a player’s perception might not align with their true value. Here are the three most underrated players heading into the 2025-26 season.
3. Patrik Laine
While many analysts considered him «overrated» at the start of the 2024-25 season, Patrik Laine proved his worth on the ice. After recovering from a knee injury, the forward scored 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games, with most of his production coming on the power play. Although he received harsh criticism for his lack of mobility, his return coincided with a turnaround for the team, which went from last place in the Eastern Conference to a near-miraculous playoff run. Laine became a key difference-maker, leading the team with 15 power-play goals, showing his significant value.
2. Mike Matheson
For the second consecutive year, Mike Matheson finds himself on this list. After his production was halved compared to his previous record-breaking season, Matheson is now behind rising stars like Lane Hutson and the newly acquired Noah Dobson. While he might be relegated to a third-pairing role, the 31-year-old veteran is still a valuable player. Last season, he led the entire team in ice time (25:05), which demonstrates his importance. His value as a veteran leader and potential trade asset makes him a player who contributes far more than his current role might suggest.
1. Brendan Gallagher
The most underrated player this season is, without a doubt, Brendan Gallagher. At 33 years old, he had a bounce-back season with 20 goals, his best scoring mark since before the pandemic. Although his large $6.5 million contract and age make him a target for criticism, the stats show that his ability to drive play remains intact. Gallagher led all regular forwards on the team in high-danger shot share and expected goals share. His return to a productive level, combined with his experience from the 2021 Stanley Cup Final run, makes him an invaluable asset and veteran leader for a young team looking to improve its playoff performance.