The Montreal Canadiens have been busy adding to their roster this past weekend by signing Chris Kreider and then reaching a new contract with restricted free agent Zachary Bolduc. On Monday, they might have made the most consequential move by announcing a multi-year extension for head coach Martin St. Louis.
St. Louis was entering the final year of his current contract, which he signed back in 2022, and had a successful run as interim head coach. The Canadiens at the time were taking a risk on the former Rangers and Lightning player because he didn't have really any coaching experience.
However, he has proven to be the right choice season after season as he has helped guide the Canadiens through a rebuild and into a playoff contender. The Canadiens have gotten better every season under St. Louis, including trips to the playoffs in the past two years.
This past season was certainly his best as the Canadiens would finish the regular season with 106 points, the first time with over 100 points since 2016-17, while also making a deep playoff run. The Canadiens would reach the Eastern Conference Final before losing in five to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Martin St. Louis already ranks in the Top 10 in points for coaches with 373 and if he has another 100-point season, he could be fifth in franchise history and pass Cecil Hart.
Martin St. Louis' next big challenge with the Montreal Canadiens
Martin St. Louis has been able to help the Canadiens reach every checkpoint in a rebuild and even ahead of schedule. The Canadiens have seen players develop; they have been competitive and have now become a perennial playoff contender.
However, that won't be enough for this team, and it becomes even tougher moving forward for St. Louis. He now has to battle the expectations that come with success and the belief that they can get better every season.
The Canadiens haven't won a Stanley Cup in over 30 seasons, and the team that Montreal has now gives them their best chance in the next few years. It is now a different conversation for this team as they just wanted to get to the playoffs or get out of the first round, and now it starts to feel like Stanley Cup or bust for this team.
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