What Happened to Joshua 'Josh' Anderson?
Josh Anderson is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently serving as a winger for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Known for his speed and physicality, Anderson was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2012 and traded to the Canadiens in 2020, where he signed a significant seven-year contract. He has been a key contributor to the Canadiens, including their 2026 playoff run, despite battling various injuries and scoring droughts throughout his career.
Quick Answer
Josh Anderson is currently a prominent winger for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL, playing a crucial role in their 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs run, which has seen them reach the Eastern Conference Final. He signed a seven-year, $38.5 million contract with the Canadiens in October 2020, which runs through the 2026-27 season. Anderson, known for his power forward style, has recently returned from an upper-body injury in March 2026 and continues to contribute offensively and physically for his team.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Drafted by Columbus Blue Jackets
Josh Anderson was selected 95th overall in the fourth round by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Signed Entry-Level Contract
Anderson signed a three-year, $2.775 million entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Won Calder Cup with Lake Erie Monsters
Anderson helped the Lake Erie Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Blue Jackets, win the Calder Cup championship.
Signed 3-Year Extension with Blue Jackets
Anderson signed a three-year, $5.55 million contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Suffered Shoulder Injury
Anderson had a difficult season, playing only 26 games due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Traded to Montreal Canadiens
Anderson was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Max Domi and a 2020 third-round draft pick.
Signed 7-Year Contract with Canadiens
Anderson agreed to a seven-year, $38.5 million contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens, running through the 2026-27 season.
Scored First Career Hat-Trick
Anderson recorded his first career NHL hat-trick in a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
Season Ended by High Ankle Sprain
Anderson's 2022-23 season concluded prematurely due to a high ankle sprain sustained in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Ended 27-Game Goalless Streak
Anderson scored an empty-net goal against the Seattle Kraken, breaking a significant 27-game scoring drought.
Skated in 600th Career NHL Game
Anderson reached the milestone of playing his 600th career NHL game against the Seattle Kraken.
Day-to-Day with Upper-Body Injury
The Montreal Canadiens listed Anderson as day-to-day with an upper-body injury sustained in a game against the Boston Bruins.
Returned to Lineup from Injury
Anderson made a surprise return to the Canadiens' lineup from his upper-body injury.
Rested for Final Regular Season Game
Anderson sat out the final regular season game against Philadelphia for rest purposes, ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Scored in Eastern Conference Final Game 2
Anderson scored a goal in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, contributing to the Canadiens' playoff run.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Joshua Anderson, born May 7, 1994, in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, embarked on his professional ice hockey career after being selected 95th overall in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets in November 2013 and spent time developing in the American Hockey League (AHL), notably winning the Calder Cup with the Lake Erie Monsters in 2016. Anderson established himself as a power forward with Columbus, known for his speed and physical play, earning the nickname 'the Powerhorse.'
His tenure with the Blue Jackets included a three-year contract extension in October 2017. However, the 2019-20 season was challenging for Anderson, as he was sidelined with a shoulder injury that required surgery, limiting him to just 26 games. This difficult period preceded a significant turning point in his career. On October 6, 2020, Anderson was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Max Domi and a 2020 third-round draft pick. Just two days later, he solidified his future with Montreal by signing a substantial seven-year contract extension worth $38.5 million, carrying an average annual value of $5.5 million, through the 2026-27 season.
Anderson quickly made an impact with the Canadiens, becoming a fan favorite for his aggressive style. He achieved a career milestone by scoring his first NHL hat-trick on March 1, 2022. Despite his contributions, Anderson has faced periods of injury, including a high ankle sprain that prematurely ended his 2022-23 season in March 2023. The 2023-24 season saw him endure a lengthy 27-game goalless streak, which he eventually broke in December 2024. He continued to reach milestones in the 2024-25 season, recording his 100th career NHL assist in December 2024 and playing his 600th career NHL game in March 2025. In April 2025, he was recognized with the Jacques Beauchamp Molson Trophy for his dominant role during the regular season.
As of the 2025-26 season, Anderson remains a vital part of the Montreal Canadiens. He has dealt with various minor injuries, including an upper-body injury in early 2026, from which he returned to the lineup in January and again in March. He was rested for the final regular-season game on April 14, 2026, in preparation for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Anderson has been instrumental in the Canadiens' deep playoff run in 2026, contributing to their advancement to the Eastern Conference Final. On May 23, 2026, he scored a goal in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, demonstrating his continued impact on the team's success. His contract with the Canadiens extends until the end of the 2026-27 season, solidifying his presence as a key veteran on the team.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Joshua 'Josh' Anderson made different choices?