Hockey is back: Canadiens set to face Kraken in home opener Tuesday
Posted October 14, 2025 5:14 pm.
Last Updated October 14, 2025 5:54 pm.
Hockey is back in Montreal, and the Canadiens are ready to hit the ice at home.
The Habs will host the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre in their first home game of the season. It’s a chance for fans to welcome the team back after a three-game road trip to start the year.
Montreal signs Hutson to eight-year extension
Just in time for Thanksgiving, the Canadiens gave their fans something extra to be thankful for.
On Monday, the team announced an eight-year contract extension for defenceman Lane Hutson, last season’s Calder Trophy winner as the NHL’s top rookie. The deal was revealed as the Canadiens hit the ice for practice at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard.
Most players weren’t aware of the news until head coach Martin St-Louis gathered the group at the end of practice to make the announcement.
Hutson, 20, is seen as a cornerstone of Montreal’s rebuild and a key part of the club’s young core.
With the deal done and the home crowd waiting, Montreal will look to build early-season momentum at the Bell Centre. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Front office stability secured with Gorton and Hughes extensions
The team also announced contract extensions for two key members of its front office. Executive vice-president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes have each signed multi-year deals to remain with the organization.
Gorton, who has been promoted to president of hockey operations, was hired in 2021 and brought in Hughes the following year. Together, they’ve overseen a major overhaul of the Canadiens’ hockey operations, including the addition of new player development staff and the team’s first analytics department.
The Canadiens credited both men for building the foundation of a young, fast team — one that returned to the playoffs last season for the first time since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.
Fans travel far and wide for home opener
Excitement built throughout the city ahead of Tuesday’s home opener, with Canadiens fans travelling from across the country to be part of the night.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” said Kevin Lagace, who came in from New Brunswick. “I travel from New Brunswick just to come to Montreal towards the opening game and hopefully they go for the win.”
Lagace said Hutson’s new deal shows the team is thinking long term. “It proved that they’re gonna build a strong and young team and not just break the bank. Other teammates just gonna follow him and cut out on the contract and have a lower pay to build a better young team.”
Marc Lacroix, from northern Ontario, looked forward to watching the game from his usual spot.
“We’re sitting right in the front row, right up against the glass, like every year, home opener for sure,” he said.
“Feeling pretty good. Feel like we’re gonna come out pretty strong,” said Lacroix. “First home game, so you always come out with the jitters and come out strong.”
He described the Bell Centre as a one-of-a-kind experience.
“I’ve been here about a dozen times. We take two plane rides to get here. And the atmosphere is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. It’s a different kind of feeling. It’s a different pride of just walking around and feeling the city and feeling the team.”
On Hutson’s eight-year extension, Lacroix had high praise.
“Oh man, he’s just such a great kid. And he signed with the intention of winning. You can’t teach that, you can’t help that. That’s just a young fella that wants to win and wants to do well. And he just didn’t do it for him. He did it for his old teammates. And you can’t ask for a better guy.”
Optimism for the future under current leadership
Many fans said they feel the team is headed in the right direction — on the ice and in the front office.
Ryan Fedorek travelled from Sparwood, B.C., to attend three games. “We came to the home opener six years ago. That was the last time we were here. This time we decided to come for three games. Make the trip worthwhile.”
He said Hutson’s deal and the leadership extensions were both major positives.
“He’s one of the best young defensemen in the league and I couldn’t be more excited to have him around for the long term,” Fedorek said. “They’ve done wonders with this team compared to what it used to be. So I think our future is really bright.”
For some, a bucket-list moment
For some fans, attending the home opener is a yearly tradition. For others, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Steven William MacLenen made the trip from Port Perry, Ont., just outside Toronto.
“Amazing, we’re gonna win,” he said ahead of the game. “I came from Toronto, Ontario, and I came to Montreal because Montreal is the best team in the world.”
He praised the building’s energy: “It’s the best thing in the world. Way better than in Toronto.”
His girlfriend, Brianne Smith, joined him. “It’s exhilarating. It’s so, so exciting and yeah, it’s so thrilling. I love it. Home opener, we’re here. We’re ready to go.”
Raphaël Bergeron Larose, from Quebec City, said he booked tickets months ago. “We took the day off and made the road trip for the game tonight.”
He had expected the Hutson deal to be announced during the pre-game ceremony, but was happy it was done. “It’s a super good deal for Montreal.”
