2021–22 Montreal Canadiens season

The 2021–22 Montreal Canadiens season was the 113th for the club that was established on December 4, 1909, and their 105th season as a franchise in the National Hockey League. 
The Canadiens were unable to replicate their success from the prior season that saw them reach the Stanley Cup Final, whereas on March 25, 2022, they became the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention following the Washington Capitals' 4-3 shootout victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Ultimately, the Canadiens finished last in the league for the first time since the 1939–40 NHL season and the first time in the NHL's expansion era, in what was one of the worst seasons in the team's history. Collectively, they set team records for most regulation losses (49), most goals against (319), fewest winsMinimum 70-game schedule (22), and fewest points (55), while its .335 point percentage was the team's third-worst ever, after only both the 1925–26 (.319) and 1939–40 (.260) campaigns.
==Standings==
===Divisional standings===
===Conference standings===
==Schedule and results==
===Regular season===
The regular season schedule was released on July 22, 2021.
2021–22 game log 	2021–22 game log 	2021–22 game log 	2021–22 game log 	2021–22 game log 	2021–22 game log 	2021–22 game log 	2021–22 game log 	2021–22 game log 	2021–22 game log 	2021–22 game log
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October: 2–8–0 (Home: 1–3–0 ; Road: 1–5–0)	October: 2–8–0 (Home: 1–3–0 ; Road: 1–5–0)	October: 2–8–0 (Home: 1–3–0 ; Road: 1–5–0)	October: 2–8–0 (Home: 1–3–0 ; Road: 1–5–0)	October: 2–8–0 (Home: 1–3–0 ; Road: 1–5–0)	October: 2–8–0 (Home: 1–3–0 ; Road: 1–5–0)	October: 2–8–0 (Home: 1–3–0 ; Road: 1–5–0)	October: 2–8–0 (Home: 1–3–0 ; Road: 1–5–0)	October: 2–8–0 (Home: 1–3–0 ; Road: 1–5–0)	October: 2–8–0 (Home: 1–3–0 ; Road: 1–5–0)	October: 2–8–0 (Home: 1–3–0 ; Road: 1–5–0)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score 	Home 	OT 	Decision 	Attendance 	Record 	Pts 	Recap
1 	October 13 	Montreal 	1–2 	Toronto 	 	Allen 	18,493 	0–1–0 	0 	
2 	October 14 	Montreal 	1–5 	Buffalo 	 	Montembeault 	8,467 	0–2–0 	0 	
3 	October 16 	NY Rangers 	3–1 	Montreal 	 	Allen 	21,105 	0–3–0 	0 	
4 	October 19 	San Jose 	5–0 	Montreal 	 	Allen 	16,095 	0–4–0 	0 	
5 	October 21 	Carolina 	4–1 	Montreal 	 	Allen 	19,174 	0–5–0 	0 	
6 	October 23 	Detroit 	1–6 	Montreal 	 	Allen 	19,706 	1–5–0 	2 	
7 	October 26 	Montreal 	1–5 	Seattle 	 	Allen 	17,151 	1–6–0 	2 	
8 	October 28 	Montreal 	4–0 	San Jose 	 	Allen 	11,463 	2–6–0 	4 	
9 	October 30 	Montreal 	2–5 	Los Angeles 	 	Allen 	12,785 	2–7–0 	4 	
10 	October 31 	Montreal 	2–4 	Anaheim 	 	Montembeault 	11,652 	2–8–0 	4 	
==Player statistics==
Final stats
===Skaters===
Regular season
Player	 	 	 	 	 	
 	82	21	40	61	−29	30
 	67	23	20	43	−24	10
 	67	15	20	35	−24	32
 	56	11	22	33	−19	24
 	69	19	13	32	−25	65
‡ 	58	13	16	29	0 	14
 	72	13	16	29	−5 	22
 	68	6 	21	27	−11	36
 	64	4 	23	27	−25	67
‡ 	37	9 	17	26	−8 	4
† 	46	9 	17	26	−9 	12
 	56	7 	17	24	−7 	69
 	34	6 	14	20	−9 	23
‡ 	54	7 	11	18	−18	42
 	57	9 	8 	17	−21	6
 	62	3 	14	17	−22	36
 	60	6 	8 	14	−15	14
‡ 	56	3 	10	13	−10	33
 	79	3 	10	13	−9 	53
 	38	4 	8 	12	−10	25
 	51	5 	6 	11	−7 	81
 	25	4 	5 	9 	+2 	4
 	27	4 	3 	7 	−8 	2
 	24	3 	3 	6 	−1 	35
 	24	2 	4 	6 	−5 	8
 	13	0 	6 	6 	+3 	2
† 	25	2 	3 	5 	−8 	18
 	14	2 	3 	5 	+2 	2
† 	14	1 	2 	3 	−6 	4
† 	5 	1 	1 	2 	−2 	0
 	24	0 	2 	2 	−6 	25
 	6 	1 	0 	1 	−3 	0
 	10	1 	0 	1 	+3 	8
 	4 	1 	0 	1 	−2 	0
† 	3 	0 	1 	1 	+2 	0
‡ 	4 	0 	1 	1 	−1 	0
 	6 	0 	1 	1 	+2 	2
 	11	0 	0 	0 	0 	4
‡ 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
===Goaltenders===
Regular season
Player	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	35	35	1,947:40	9	20	4	107	3.30	1,123	.905	2	0	0	2
 	38	30	1,942:49	8	18	6	122	3.77	1,124	.891	1	0	0	0
‡ 	4 	3 	200:10 	3	0 	0	8 	2.40	100 	.920	0	0	0	0
 	5 	5 	297:30 	1	4 	0	18 	3.63	148 	.878	0	0	0	0
 	12	9 	519:13 	1	7 	1	40 	4.62	302 	.868	0	0	0	0
‡ 	1 	0 	20:00 	0	0 	0	3 	9.00	7 	.571	0	0	0	0
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Canadiens. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
Bold/italics denotes franchise record.
==Awards and honours==
===Milestones===
 Regular Season
Player 	Milestone 	Reached 	Ref
Jonathan Drouin 	400th career NHL game 	October 26, 2021 	
Michael Pezzetta 	1st career NHL game 	November 2, 2021 	
Mike Hoffman 	400th career NHL point 	November 6, 2021 	
Michael Pezzetta 	1st career NHL assist1st career NHL point 	November 13, 2021	
Michael Pezzetta 	1st career NHL goal 	November 14, 2021	
Brendan Gallagher 	600th career NHL game 	November 18, 2021	
Mattias Norlinder 	1st career NHL game 	November 18, 2021	
Mattias Norlinder 	1st career NHL assist1st career NHL point 	November 27, 2021	
Tyler Toffoli 	600th career NHL game 	November 27, 2021	
Chris Wideman 	200th career NHL game 	December 4, 2021 	
Nick Suzuki 	100th career NHL point 	December 7, 2021 	
Jesse Ylonen 	1st career NHL goal1st career NHL point 	December 14, 2021	
Kale Clague 	1st career NHL goal 	December 28, 2021	
Rafael Harvey-Pinard	1st career NHL game1st career NHL goal1st career NHL point 	December 28, 2021	
Corey Schueneman 	1st career NHL game1st career NHL assist1st career NHL point	December 28, 2021	
Brandon Baddock 	1st career NHL game 	December 30, 2021	
Cameron Hillis 	1st career NHL game 	January 1, 2022 	
Jesse Ylonen 	1st career NHL assist 	January 1, 2022 	
Ben Chiarot 	100th career NHL point 	January 13, 2022 	
Michael McNiven 	1st career NHL game 	January 24, 2022 	
Jeff Petry 	300th career NHL point 	January 24, 2022 	
Brett Kulak 	300th career NHL game 	February 10, 2022	
Jake Evans 	100th career NHL game 	February 13, 2022	
Paul Byron 	500th career NHL game 	February 17, 2022	
Alexander Romanov 	100th career NHL game 	February 17, 2022	
Samuel Montembeault 	1st career NHL shutout 	February 23, 2022	
Josh Anderson 	1st career NHL hat trick 	March 1, 2022 	
Mike Hoffman 	200th career NHL goal 	March 5, 2022 	
Mathieu Perreault 	700th career NHL game 	March 5, 2022 	
Corey Schueneman 	1st career NHL goal 	March 17, 2022 	
Joel Edmundson 	400th career NHL game 	March 27, 2022 	
Justin Barron 	1st career NHL assist1st career NHL point 	March 29, 2022 	
Jordan Harris 	1st career NHL game 	April 2, 2022 	
Justin Barron 	1st career NHL goal 	April 5, 2022 	
Mike Hoffman 	600th career NHL game 	April 5, 2022 	
Josh Anderson 	100th career NHL goal 	April 11, 2022 	
Nick Suzuki 	200th career NHL game 	April 11, 2022 	
Jeff Petry 	800th career NHL game 	April 23, 2022 	
Christian Dvorak 	100th career NHL assist 	April 27, 2022 	
Cole Caufield 	1st career NHL hat trick 	April 29, 2022 	
Jordan Harris 	1st career NHL goal 	April 29, 2022 	
==Transactions==
The Canadiens have been involved in the following transactions during the 2021–22 season.
===Trades===
Date	Details 	Details 	Ref
 	To Anaheim DucksCHI 3rd-round pick in 2021 (Tyson Hinds) 	To Montreal Canadiens3rd-round pick in 2022 	
 	To Tampa Bay LightningVGK 4th-round pick in 2021 (Dylan Duke) 	To Montreal Canadiens4th-round pick in 2022 	
 	To Minnesota Wild4th-round pick in 2021 (Josh Pillar) 	To Montreal Canadiens5th-round pick in 2021 (Joshua Roy)7th-round pick in 2021 (Joe Vrbetic) 	
 	To Arizona Coyotes7th-round pick in 2021 (Samuel Lipkin) 	To Montreal CanadiensSTL 7th-round pick in 2022 	
 	To Arizona CoyotesConditional 1st-round pick in 202212nd-round pick in 2024	To Montreal CanadiensChristian Dvorak 	
 	To Minnesota WildBrandon Baddock 	To Montreal CanadiensAndrew Hammond 	
 	To Calgary FlamesTyler Toffoli 	To Montreal CanadiensTyler PitlickEmil HeinemanConditional 1st-round pick in 202225th-round pick in 2023	
 	To Calgary FlamesMichael McNiven 	To Montreal CanadiensFuture considerations 	
 	To Florida PanthersBen Chiarot3 	To Montreal Canadiens1st-round pick in 2023NYR 4th-round pick in 2022Tyler Smilanic 	
 	To Edmonton OilersBrett Kulak4 	To Montreal CanadiensWilliam LagessonConditional 2nd-round pick in 202257th-round pick in 2024 	
 	To Colorado AvalancheArtturi Lehkonen6 	To Montreal CanadiensJustin Barron2nd-round pick in 2024 	
 	To New Jersey DevilsAndrew Hammond 	To Montreal CanadiensNate Schnarr 	
Notes:
#The Arizona Coyotes will receive the better of Montreal's own 1st-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and Carolina's 1st-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft (previously acquired by Montreal). However, in the event that either or both of Montreal's own 1st-round pick and/or Carolina's 1st-round pick are Top 10 picks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft (after the final Draft order has been established in accordance with the results of the 2022 NHL Draft Lottery), then Arizona will receive the worse of Montreal's own pick and Carolina's pick.
#If the Calgary Flames' 1st-round pick in 2022 is a Top 10 pick, Montreal will instead receive their 2023 1st-round pick along with a 2024 4th-round pick.
#Montreal will retain 50% of Chiarot's salary for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
#Montreal will retain 50% of Kulak's salary for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
# If the Edmonton Oilers reach the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, the pick will instead become a 2nd-round selection in 2023.
#Montreal will retain 50% of Lehkonen's salary for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
===Players acquired===
Date	Player 	Former team (League) 	Term 	Via 	Ref
 	Louie Belpedio 	Minnesota Wild 	1-year	Free agency	
 	Jean-Sebastien Dea	Buffalo Sabres 	1-year	Free agency	
 	Mike Hoffman 	St. Louis Blues 	3-year	Free agency	
 	Cedric Paquette 	Carolina Hurricanes 	1-year	Free agency	
 	David Savard 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	4-year	Free agency	
 	Chris Wideman 	Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL)	1-year	Free agency	
 	Mathieu Perreault 	Winnipeg Jets 	1-year	Free agency	
 	Sami Niku 	Winnipeg Jets 	1-year	Free agency	
 	Sam Montembeault 	Florida Panthers 	 	Waivers 	
 	Arber Xhekaj 	Kitchener Rangers (OHL) 	3-year	Free agency	
 	Adam Brooks 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	 	Waivers 	
 	Kale Clague 	Los Angeles Kings 	 	Waivers 	
 	Rem Pitlick 	Minnesota Wild 	 	Waivers 	
 	Lucas Condotta 	UMass Lowell River Hawks (HE)	1-year	Free agency	
===Players lost===
Date	Player 	New team (League) 	Term 	Via 	Ref
 	Jordan Weal 	Ak Bars Kazan (KHL) 	2-year	Free agency 	
 	Jake Lucchini 	Laval Rocket (AHL) 	1-year	Free agency 	
 	Cale Fleury 	Seattle Kraken 	 	Expansion Draft 	
 	Phillip Danault 	Los Angeles Kings 	6-year	Free agency 	
 	Charlie Lindgren 	St. Louis Blues 	1-year	Free agency 	
 	Jon Merrill 	Minnesota Wild 	1-year	Free agency 	
 	Corey Perry 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	2-year	Free agency 	
 	Tomas Tatar 	New Jersey Devils 	2-year	Free agency 	
 	Gustav Olofsson 	Seattle Kraken 	1-year	Free agency 	
 	Jesperi Kotkaniemi 	Carolina Hurricanes 	1-year	Free agency1 	
 	Erik Gustafsson 	Chicago Blackhawks 	1-year	Free agency 	
 	Michael Frolik 	Lausanne HC (NL) 	2-year	Free agency 	
 	Adam Brooks 	Vegas Golden Knights 	 	Waivers 	
 	Arsen Khisamutdinov	 	 	Mutual termination	
 	Arsen Khisamutdinov	Dinamo Riga (KHL) 	2-year	Free agency 	
 	Joseph Blandisi 	Toronto Marlies (AHL)	1-year	Free agency2 	
Notes:
#As compensation for not matching the Offer Sheet made by the Carolina Hurricanes to restricted free agent Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Montreal receives a 1st-round and a 3rd-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft from Carolina.
#Blandisi originally signed a Professional Tryout contract with the Toronto Marlies on December 14, 2021 prior to inking an AHL contract thereafter.
===Signings===
Date	Player 	Term 	Contract type	Ref
 	Alex Belzile 	1-year	Re-signing 	
 	Joel Armia 	4-year	Re-signing 	
 	Artturi Lehkonen	1-year	Re-signing 	
 	Michael Pezzetta	1-year	Re-signing 	
 	Michael McNiven 	1-year	Re-signing 	
 	Ryan Poehling 	2-year	Re-signing 	
 	Jake Evans 	3-year	Re-signing 	
 	Nick Suzuki 	8-year	Re-signing 	
 	Jordan Harris 	2-year	Entry-level 	
 	Joshua Roy 	3-year	Entry-level 	
 	Emil Heineman 	3-year	Entry-level 	
 	Riley Kidney 	3-year	Entry-level 	
==Draft picks==
Below are the Montreal Canadiens' selections at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, which were held on July 23 to 24, 2021. It was held virtually via Video conference call from the NHL Network studio in Secaucus, New Jersey.
Round	# 	Player 	Pos.	Nationality	Team (League)
1 	31 	Logan Mailloux 	D 	 	SK Lejon (Hockeyettan)
2 	63 	Riley Kidney 	C 	 	Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)
2 	64 	Oliver Kapanen 	C 	 	KalPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
3 	87 	Dmitri Kostenko	D 	 	Lada Togliatti (VHL)
4 	113	William Trudeau	D 	 	Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
5 	142	Daniil Sobolev 	D 	 	Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
5 	150	Joshua Roy 	RW 	 	Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
6 	191	Xavier Simoneau	C 	 	Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
7 	214	Joe Vrbetic 	G 	 	North Bay Battalion (OHL)
==References==
Montreal Canadiens
Canadiens
Category:Montreal Canadiens seasons