Anderson soaking up Canadiens’ playoff ride after enduring rebuild

MONTREAL — Josh Anderson could see the plan coming into focus.

The Montreal Canadiens went through a massive rebuild on the heels of an improbable march to the Stanley Cup final in 2021.

An exodus of veteran talent and leadership soon followed, with the likes of Carey Price and Shea Weber heading out the door.

Anderson and a few other core roster members were left behind to help guide a young group through the wilderness of a teardown and rebuild.

The bruising winger is still around to enjoy the fruits of that labour. Anderson sat second on the Canadiens with five goals this post-season heading into Monday’s Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes.

“It’s been an emotional roller-coaster, honestly,” said the 32-year-old. “But we’re having a ton of fun together playing this late into the playoffs.”

Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis came on board in February 2022 with the Original Six franchise on the way to bottoming out in the NHL’s overall standings.

The Hall of Fame forward said “rebuild” isn’t an ideal word for veteran players aware the clock is ticking down on their careers, but a group that included Anderson, fellow winger Brendan Gallagher and defenceman Mike Matheson have been rewarded.

“They bought into, ‘We’re going to turn this around,'” St. Louis said. “I’m so happy that we were able to execute what we thought we could, so that they can reap the benefit of being patient with us and being good mentors (and) leaders for the group.

“I feel like they could see the vision and they wanted to be part of it.”

Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky, whose No. 1 overall selection at the 2022 draft kick-started the push back up the ledger, said the six-foot-three, 226-pound Anderson has been vital to his development.

“I sit next to him in a locker room,” said the 22-year-old with a near identical frame. “Taught me a lot just talking to him — the way he sees the game, the way he’s trying to set himself up to have a good shift, the way he uses his body.

“The type of guy you want to have in your locker room when you’re young and you have a big body like me. He’s been great and hopefully we have a lot more time together.”

Anderson was acquired via trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets in October 2020 before signing a six-year, US$38.5-million dollar contract.

His offensive production has never dazzled with a pair of 32-point seasons the high bar in Montreal, but his value was key in holding things together during the transition.

“He’s a positive guy,” said 25-year-old sniper Cole Caufield, whose team advanced to the conference final with seven-game victories over the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres. “He’s always trying to find good things to look to. He’s the guy that always kept it light throughout those times. He’s not really the oldest guy. He still feels like he’s one of us.

“He’s gone with us throughout this whole process. He’s been a huge part of that and a big reason why we’re here today.”

And while Anderson has contributed offensively on an effective third line with Phillip Danault and Alexandre Texier this spring, the Burlington, Ont., product has also continued on the physical side, leading the forward group with 42 hits entering Monday’s game against the Hurricanes at the Bell Centre.

“The playoffs are built for his game — the intensity, the physicality,” said defenceman Noah Dobson, in his first season with the Canadiens. “He’s playing that power forward game. He’s hard to handle.”

Montreal forward Alex Newhook saw Anderson’s worth on the ice and in the locker room when he also arrived via trade in June 2023.

“A leader since I’ve been here,” said Newhook, who hoisted the Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. “He’s showing how effective he can be in meaningful games (at a) meaningful time of the year. It’s fun to watch when he’s hunting guys on the forecheck and bringing that pace. I don’t think he’s a fun guy to play against.

“Leads with his energy. He takes on the big moments.”

After navigating the dark days, Anderson is enjoying the ride — and hungry for more.

“We just got to keep going,” he said. “Spend more time together and win more hockey games.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2026.

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press