The Montreal Canadiens have big things in store for the 2025-26 NHL season. After last year’s successful and over-achieving performance, the Habs’ expectations have only increased. Far from being found flat-footed, Patrik Laine, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, and company are eager for such a challenge.
It won’t be easy, whatsoever. But the Canadiens have long been waiting for the spotlight to be upon them. Now, they aren’t the talk of the town in the NHL just yet, but they can be on everybody’s lips with statement performances.
That’s the mindset in the City of Saints. Take what’s theirs, even if the rest of the league isn’t ready to let go. As Laine and Hutson enter contract years, the Habs face tough decisions on who to deal in order to make room. As things stand, Montreal is seemingly rolling with Laine for the upcoming season, and Hutson isn’t going anywhere for some time.
However, moves are to be expected in Montreal. As reports suggest one of three key players could be shipped off. The candidates to walk the plank sometime during the upcoming season? None other than Mike Matheson, Arber Xhekaj, and Jayden Struble.
Mike Matheson #8 of the Montreal Canadiens plays the puck during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Centre Bell on November 29, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Montreal could end up moving a defenseman at some point this season, as reported by Eric Engels on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro. According to Engels, one of Matheson, Xhekaj, and Struble might not be alongside Caufield, Laine, and Hutson between now and this time next year.
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Making room for blueliner of the future
As reported, the Habs might be left with no choice but deal one of the three blueliners to make way for young defensemen David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom.
The former was the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, while Engstrom was taken with a third-round selection in 2022. Both have yet to make their league debuts, but the Habs have sky-high expectations for the two defensemen. Therefore, they could be looking to deal one of the players currently in the lineup to clear up both cap space and a spot on the blueline.
Cole Caufield #13 of the Montréal Canadiens looks on during warmup prior to their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on March 11, 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The math behind the move
Moving on from Matheson’s $4.875 million contract might be the most simple solution for Montreal’s cap concerns. However, the veteran defenseman is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Thus, the Habs are in a race against the clock if they want to get something in return for the 31-year-old. Of course, there’s an added layer as Matheson’s deal includes an eight-team no trade list.
Struble, on the other hand, has recently settled with the Canadiens after filing for salary arbitration. The 23-year-old defenseman signed a two-year, $2.83M extension. It would be surprising for the Habs to ship him away, but it would also make sense, as the organization avoided losing him to free agency.
Finally, Xhekaj has one year remaining in the two-year extension he signed in 2024 and is set to become a restricted free agent (RFA) in 2026. Hutson will become an RFA next offseason, too. However, the current Calder Trophy winner’s future is a much safer bet than that of the 24-year-old enforcer.
SurveyWho should the Habs trade out of the three defensemen?
Who should the Habs trade out of the three defensemen?
As things stand, the Habs have their hands full going into the 2025-26 NHL season. The financial side of the puck will definitely keep the organization in Quebec’s Metropolis up late at night. Nine players will become free agents after this campaign and the Canadiens must allocate their funds wisely.