Since the formation of the NHL , 709 different players have played with the Canadiens As of April 3 , 2008 , 71 goaltenders and 638 skaters ( forwards and defensemen ) have appeared in at least one regular-season and/or playoff game with the Montreal Canadiens since the formation of the league in the 1917 -- 18 NHL season .
Since the creation of the NHL , 709 different players have played with the Canadiens As of April 3 , 2008 , 71 goaltenders and 638 skaters ( forwards and defensemen ) have appeared in at least one regular-season and/or playoff game with the Montreal Canadiens since the formation of the league in the 1917 -- 18 NHL season .