The Montreal Canadiens are undoubtedly one of the NHL's most exciting teams heading into the 2025-26 season. They have plenty of young talent who have the potential to break out but also have a nice veteran core.

Yet, let's look at two Canadiens who could end up being nice surprises for the Original Six club next season.

Owen Beck 

Owen Beck will be an interesting prospect to watch heading into the 2025-26 season. The 21-year-old forward is still working on his development, and he certainly possesses good upside. With this, it would be significant for the Canadiens if he took a nice step forward next season and cemented himself a spot on their NHL roster. 

Beck had a solid first AHL season with the Laval Rocket in 2024-25, posting 15 goals and 44 points in 64 games. He also played in his first 12 career NHL games with the Habs in 2024-25, posting one assist. With a year of professional hockey experience under his belt, Beck is a sneaky breakout candidate to keep an eye on for next season. 

Joe Veleno

Joe Veleno is one of the new players the Canadiens have brought in this off-season. While he may not be as flashy as fellow newcomers like Noah Dobson and Zack Bolduc, he is a player who fans should not sleep on.

Veleno showed during the 2023-24 season with the Detroit Red Wings that he can chip in offensively, as he posted career highs with 12 goals and 28 points in 80 games. If he can get his offense back up to these totals while maintaining his heavy style of play, the 25-year-old could end up being an excellent addition to Montreal's bottom six. 

Canadiens Soaring Goalie Should Only Get BetterIt is an exciting time for the Montreal Canadiens right now. The Atlantic Division club is a clear team on the rise due to their nice mix of impactful veterans and promising young players. With this, they are undoubtedly among the most intriguing teams to watch heading into the 2025-26 season.