Montreal Canadiens Quarter-Century Team - Part 1

Since choosing and explaining the selection of 20 players is a lengthy exercise, we'll cover the backend today and deal with the attack tomorrow. Without further ado here are the players we've selected to be part of the Montreal Canadiens' quarter-century team.

Goaltenders

Since the turn of the century, only two goaltenders have captured the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player for their team and both played for the Canadiens, which made the selection easy.

Jose Theodore (1995-96 to 2005-06)

Theodore was selected in the second round by the Canadiens at the 1994 draft and he was part of the organization until the 2005-06 season. In 9 years with the Habs, he played 353 games and posted a 141-158-35 record including 23 shutouts with a 2.62 goals-against average and a .911 SP. His best year came in 2001-02 when he went 30-24-10 with a 2.11 GAA, a .931 SP (the second best season in franchise history) and seven shutouts.

Carey Price (2007-08 to 2021-22)

Picked fifth overall by the Canadiens at the 2005 draft, Price spent his entire career with Montreal. Over his 15 years manning the Habs' net, he played 712 games posting a 361-261-79 record, 49 shutouts (third highest total in franchise history), a 2.51 GAA (eight best in team history) and a .917 SP (fifth highest). In 2014-15, he had an amazing season with a 44 (most win in a season with the Habs)-16-6 record, nine shutouts (seventh most in franchise history), a .933 SP (team record) and a 1.96 GAA (seventh best in team history).

Related: Canadiens: Dryden Sees Price in the Rafters

While the numbers are impressive, Price's performances in the playoffs were awe inspiring. In 2014, he took the Habs all the way to the conference final before a collision with Chris Kreider ruled him out for the rest of the series and in 2021, he carried the team on his back all the way to the Stanley Cup final.

Defensemen

Some of these picks were easier than others, but there was no shortage of great candidates.

Andrei Markov (2000-01 to 2016-17)

The General played 990 games with the Canadiens and had it not been for a contractual dispute, he would have easily played over 1,000 matches. His 572 career points have him in third place in franchise history, tied with Guy Lapointe who gets second place since he needed less games to reach the same total. He's third in goals with 119 and second in assist with 453. Markov's ability to move the puck and his high hockey IQ made him one of the most reliable blueliner to ever wear the Sainte-Flanelle, and that's saying something.

Related: Canadiens: The Forgotten Greats

P.K. Subban (2009-10 to 2015-16)

The first and only Canadiens defenseman to win the Norris Trophy since Chris Chelios did it in 1988-89, Subban's speed and showmanship had a way to get people out of their seat at the Bell Centre, whenever he touched the puck, people got excited, much like they do with Lane Hutson today. Subban spent seven seasons in Montreal, skating in 434 games and gathering 278 points and 532 penalty minutes in the process. Off the ice, he made one of the biggest charity pledge the city had ever seen, committing to donate $10 M over seven years through his foundation. He extended the commitment to 10 years following the pandemic.

Shea Weber (2016-17 to 2020-21)

While Weber only spent five years in Montreal, his leadership left a mark on this team that will live on forever. A true captain, he lead his team to battle for each and every game and even to an unexpected Stanley Cup final in 2021. A warrior to the end, he played for as long as his body allowed him to, which is to say until that Cup final. In five season, he only played 275 games because of recurring injuries, but he still put up 186 points including 58 goals, most of which came through his rocket of a shot. His early "retirement" (and Price's) led the Canadiens to the rebuild they are currently navigating.

Josh Gorges (2006-07 to 2013-14)

Gorges was a stay at home defenseman in the true sense of the word. A courageous shot blocker, he was always willing to put his body on the line for the team. He wore the alternate captain's "A" for two seasons, but he might as well have worn the C. He was the one who took Brendan Gallagher under his wing when he arrived in Montreal and "raised him from a pup" as they say. When the Canadiens tried to trade him to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Gorges blocked the trade saying he couldn't play to a team he hated that much after spending eight years playing in the Montreal-Toronto rivalry.

Jeff Petry (2014-15 to 2021-22)

A trade deadline acquisition in 2015, Petry's stay was extended to eight years as he became a mainstay on the Canadiens' blueline. It's in Montreal that he reached his full potential putting up 46 points in his best season. Through 508 games with the Tricolore, he put up 248 points and was one of headliners of the unlikely 2021 playoffs run. Who doesn't remember his bloodshot eyes? His time in Montreal came to a halt after his family returned home to the USA because of Canada's pandemic restrictions and he requested a trade. While many fans turned on him for that request, most human beings would have done the same to be with their family.

Sheldon Souray (2000-01 to 2006-07)

The 6-foot-4 defenseman came into his own in Montreal and posted a 64-point season in 2006-07, the ninth highest total in franchise history. While he only played a total of 324 games in Montreal, he had enough of an impact to deserve a spot on the quarter-century team.

There are plenty of great promising blueliners in Montreal right now, but putting Lane Hutson on the team after half a season would have been a bit hasty. I've no doubt he will feature in the half-century team however and who knows, Kaiden Guhle may just land on there as well...Curious about the other franchises' quarter-century team? Check out this link.

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