As the 2024-25 NHL season rumbles on, it’s already becoming increasingly clear that the Montreal Canadiens are highly unlikely to be competing at the top table of the NHL for a Stanley Cup next year. With just a dozen wins from 31 games played at the time of writing, Canadiens fans are having to suck up a 32nd straight season without a trophy to their name.
With 24 Stanley Cup titles to their name, the Habs are still one of the most decorated franchises in the history of the National Hockey League. Yet, there’s an entire generation of Habs fans that can’t remember when their team were good. The Canadiens’ last Stanley Cup triumph in 1993 is very much a distant memory.
So much so that being a Habs fan has become a test of patience and endurance for even the most loyal supporters. Nevertheless, being a Habs fan is about way more than celebrating Stanley Cups. As the franchise continues to negotiate this lean spell, how can fans keep the faith?
Cherish the storied legacy of the Canadiens
There aren’t many teams in all of major league sport that have the rich heritage of the Montreal Canadiens. The franchise has enjoyed two dynasties during the 1950s and 70s, when legendary stars like “Rockey” Richard, Patrick Roy and Jean Beliveau ruled the ice.
Even when the Habs’ present-day situation feels bleak, it’s great to take a step back and celebrate the team’s past. Uncover those historic games and moments or head to the Bell Centre to soak in the mementos which line the corridors and hang from its rafters. Ultimately, this is a reminder of why your love affair with the Habs started in the first place.
Accept variance – downswings can and do happen
Hockey, as with other walks of life, is full of ups and downs. Although the Habs’ ongoing drought may feel endless, but it’s worth noting that every franchise faces challenging, trophy-less eras. Variance is an unfortunate reality in any type of competitive sport or game. In poker, even the world’s best players experience downswings despite making the right moves at the tables. It’s how they deal with their emotions that ensures they live to fight another day.
Ultimately, Canadiens fans need a sense of perspective. Rooting for your franchise during the toughest of times is character-building. It encourages you to appreciate the small wins and stay grounded for the next big game.
Prioritise player development
Although the Habs are by no means perennial Stanley Cup contenders right now, there’s still cause for optimism. Not least with some of the up-and-coming talent coming off the Canadiens’ conveyor belt. This includes the likes of Nick Suzuki, Kaiden Guhle and Cole Caufield. All of whom now form the bedrock of the Habs’ starting team. Suzuki is now team captain, having been traded from the Las Vegas Golden Knights in September 2018.
In fact, the 25-year-old centre is now the mouthpiece of the Canadiens. He came out and spoke frankly with the media after a recent 9-2 hammering by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Suzuki’s frank and direct words cut through with fans, who can see that he is trying to set new standards for the Habs.
Embrace the Habs community
Another important step to take for dealing with the Habs’ drought is to lean on your fellow fans. Online communities like ours are invaluable for sharing the highs and lows of supporting an NHL franchise. Be sure to discuss the team’s progress with others online. Those shared experience remind you that being a fan is a sense of community rather than winning and losing.
Although a Stanley Cup success still seems a long way off, there’s nothing wrong with finding the joy in the rebuild of the franchise. Under the Canadiens’ general manager, Kent Hughes, the Habs are trying hard to build a new era. Take pride in the fact that you’re watching a new-look Habs team in its development phase.