Who are the best Montreal Canadiens of all time? The most storied franchise in the NHL, the franchise even predates the league itself.
The most successful franchise in NHL history and the most hated of rivals, the Canadiens have had a history of legendary players. These are the ten best ever:
10. Ken Dryden
Position: Goaltender
Seasons with Canadiens: 8
Honours: 6x Stanley Cup champion, 6x All-Star Team, 5x Vezina Trophy, 1x Conn Smythe Trophy
Ken Dryden was a key part of the Canadiens dominance through the 1970s. His calm demeanor, ability to perform in high-pressure situations, and outstanding postseason performances earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1973, despite playing just a handful of regular-season games.
9. Howie Morenz
Position: Centre
Seasons with Canadiens: 12
Honours: 3x Stanley Cup champion, 3x All-Star Team, 3x Hart Memorial Trophy, 2x Top Scorer
One of the best Montreal Canadiens in history, Howie Morenz was one of hockey’s first true superstars. Dazzling fans through the 1920s and 30s with his speed, playmaking, and scoring ability, Morenz’s legacy lives on as one of the sport’s earliest icons.
8. Doug Harvey
Position: Defence
Seasons with Canadiens: 14
Honours: 6x Stanley Cup champion, 11x All-Star Team, 7x James Norris Memorial Trophy
Doug Harvey built a reputation for his transformative play as a defenseman during the 1950s and 1960s. Harvey was an exceptional skater with a very high hockey IQ. Ultimately he went on to redefine what the role of a modern defenseman is on both ends of the ice.
7. Jacques Plante
Position: Goaltender
Seasons with Canadiens: 11
Honours: 6x Stanley Cup champion, 7x All-Star Team, 7x Vezina Trophy, 1x Hart Memorial Trophy
Jacques Plante is one of the most influential goaltenders in hockey history. A pioneer of the modern goalie mask, Plante was a revolutionary figure who helped transform the game from the net out, becoming the first goaltender to win the Vezina Trophy seven times.
6. Henri Richard
Position: Centre
Seasons with Canadiens: 20
Honours: 11x Stanley Cup champion, 4x All-Star Team, 1x Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Henri Richard and his brother Maurice are both among the best Montreal Canadiens of all time. Henri was known for his speed, skill, and hockey IQ. Though not as celebrated as his older brother, Henri was an outstanding two-way player finishing with 1,046 career points.
5. Patrick Roy
Position: Goaltender
Seasons with Canadiens: 11
Honours: 2x Stanley Cup champion (and another 2x with Colorado), 6x All-Star Team, 3x Vezina Trophy, 3x Conn Smythe Trophy
As one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history, Patrick Roy was a hothead to say the least. Roy is renowned for his fiery personality and incredible performances in clutch moments, as well as for revolutionising the goaltending butterfly style.
4. Larry Robinson
Position: Defence
Seasons with Canadiens: 17
Honours: 6x Stanley Cup champion, 10x All-Star Team, 2x James Norris Memorial Trophy, 1x Conn Smythe Trophy
Larry Robinson was one of the best Montreal Canadians ever with his domineering defence that many players feared. If his shut down ability wasn’t enough, on offense he scored 958 points in 1,384 games. Legend.
3. Guy Lafleur
Position: Right Wing
Seasons with Canadiens: 14
Honours: 5x Stanley Cup champion, 6x All-Star Team, 2x Hart Memorial Trophy, 3x Art Ross Trophy, 1x Conn Smythe Trophy
With trademark free flowing hair, the first pick of the 1971 draft, Guy Lafleur revolutionized the NHL with his electrifying speed, skill, and flair. Unstoppable in his prime, he finished six consecutive seasons reaching the 50-goal and 100-point mark.
2. Jean Béliveau
Position: Centre
Seasons with Canadiens: 20
Honours: 10x Stanley Cup champion (and another 7x as executive), 10x All-Star Team, 2x Hart Memorial Trophy, 1x Conn Smythe Trophy
Jean Béliveau had an impressive offensive output across his career amassing 1,219 points in 1,125 games while gracing the ice with elegance. It didn’t matter the occasion, as he mastered high pressure situations and became a Quebec folk hero.
1. Maurice Richard
Position: Right Wing
Seasons with Canadiens: 18
Honours: 8x Stanley Cup champion, 14x All-Star, 1x Hart Memorial Trophy
Brother of Henri Richard, Maurice Richard is the greatest Montreal Canadiens player of all time. His blazing speed and finishing made him a goal-scoring machine and he became the first player in history to crack the 50 goals in a season mark.
