Out of the Bleu, Blanc, Rouge: The week’s hottest Montreal Canadiens topics, served without sugar-coating or much concern for bruised feelings. As we turn the calendar to August, training camp is less than a month away. While expectations surrounding the Canadiens continue to rise, there are still plenty of unanswered questions that could shape the upcoming season.
What’s going on with Zach Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj’s contract negotiations?
Both restricted free agents remain unsigned, and while there doesn’t appear to be any panic, it’s fair to wonder what’s causing the delay. Both players bring a physical dimension to a roster that still needs more bite, not less. Arber Xhekaj‘s agent recently spoke publicly about the negotiations and remained optimistic that a deal would eventually get done, but until pen is put to paper, it remains another item on Kent Hughes’ to-do list.
What’s in store with the pending free agents?
The Canadiens already have another wave of important contract decisions approaching. Josh Anderson, Phillip Danault, Kirby Dach, Alexandre Carrier and Samuel Montembeault are all scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next summer, while Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen and Jayden Struble will require new restricted free agent contracts. Which players are part of the long-term plan, and more importantly, at what price?
What happens with the goaltending?
Former Habs goaltender Jake Allen recently spoke candidly about how difficult it was living through the Canadiens’ three-goalie situation. Last season, Montreal once again found itself juggling too many netminders before eventually acknowledging that Jakub Dobeš had earned the number one role while promoting Jacob Fowler. Kent Hughes has yet to find a trade partner for Samuel Montembeault, leaving the organization facing an uncomfortable question. Will they head into camp with another crowded crease and risk making the same mistake for a third time?
Can they stay healthy?
For four straight seasons, injuries were almost a yearly tradition in Montreal. Last season finally brought some relief, and the improvement in the standings was no coincidence. Even then, Alex Newhook missed 40 games, Kaiden Guhle was limited to 39, and Kirby Dach appeared in only 37. In today’s NHL, where the difference between making and missing the playoffs can be only a handful of points, health isn’t an excuse. It’s one of the biggest factors separating contenders from pretenders.
What do they really have in Alex Newhook?
After scoring 15 goals in 82 games during the 2024-25 season, Alex Newhook followed it up with 13 goals in just 42 games last year, a pace that projects to roughly 25 over a full season. He also chipped in seven goals during the Canadiens’ 19-game playoff run. At 25 years old, could he finally be ready to establish himself as a consistent 25 to 30-goal scorer? If the answer is yes, where does he fit best? At centre or on the wing?
Can Kaiden Guhle finally stay in the lineup?
No one questions Guhle’s ability. The only question has been availability. He has openly admitted that every time he starts building confidence and momentum, another injury seems to interrupt his progress. Since breaking into the NHL, the 24-year-old has played 208 of Montreal’s 328 games, missing nearly 37 percent of the team’s schedule. That works out to an average of just 52 games per season. If he can finally put together a healthy campaign, it could feel like adding a top-four defenseman without making a trade.
What should we expect from Kirby Dach?
If there were an award for frustrating untapped potential, Dach would unfortunately be among the finalists. Through seven NHL seasons, the 25-year-old has averaged fewer than 45 games per year and has reached the 70-game mark only once. His four seasons in Montreal have been even more interrupted, averaging just 38.5 games. Remarkably, after seven NHL seasons, there’s still debate over whether he’s better suited at centre or on the wing. After signing a one-year contract worth $3.6 million, this feels very much like a prove-it season.
No help for Demidov?
Ivan Demidov enjoyed an outstanding rookie campaign, and judging by the videos of his off-season training, it’s difficult to picture him taking a step backwards. Hard work has never been his issue, much like Lane Hutson, who avoided any sophomore slump himself. The bigger concern is whether the Canadiens have done enough to help him take another step forward. The glaring need for a legitimate second-line centre, or even an upgrade on the left side, remains unresolved. Expecting another significant jump without improving the supporting cast might be asking a little too much, even if Demidov quarterbacks the top power play unit.
Which rookies can force their way onto the roster?
Every training camp produces at least one surprise, and this year should be no different. David Reinbacher appears to have the clearest path after an encouraging development curve, but Adam Engström shouldn’t be overlooked despite the logjam on defence. Up front, Owen Beck and Florian Xhekaj have both shown enough that they could force Martin St-Louis into making difficult roster decisions. Training camp is where reputations matter a little less and performances matter a whole lot more.
RAPID FIRE
📌 The Kirill Marchenko rumours have certainly cooled after burning brightly around Montreal for a couple of weeks. Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell, with a few carefully timed comments, along with Marchenko’s agent Dan Milstein, have done their part to throw a wet blanket over the speculation.
📌 That said, it would still be premature to completely dismiss the possibility. Hockey has a funny way of rewarding patience. Where there’s smoke, there’s often at least a few glowing embers. Waddell also has every reason to protect the perception that one of his best players isn’t looking for the nearest exit, so some of this could simply be damage control.
📌 The Blue Jackets’ general manager also finds himself in an unenviable position. If Marchenko truly isn’t interested in signing long term, does keeping him create unnecessary distractions inside the dressing room? Teams also have only until mid-September to offer the maximum eight-year extension. After that, the maximum term drops to seven years. Add in the rapidly rising contract values around the league, and some teams may hesitate before committing. On the other hand, if Marchenko explodes offensively this season, his asking price climbs even higher. If he struggles, his value drops. It’s quite the balancing act.
📌 According to puckpedia.com, the Canadiens currently have roughly $9.8 million in available cap space. That figure doesn’t yet include new contracts for Bolduc and Xhekaj, but it does account for carrying three goaltenders. Trading Samuel Montembeault would create another $3.15 million in flexibility, while assigning Jacob Fowler would free approximately $1 million. Moving both Montembeault and Kirby Dach would suddenly open close to $7 million more.
📌 If Kent Hughes is indeed working the phones on one or two significant moves before training camp, money will almost certainly have to leave Montreal before more can come in. The most logical area to watch remains the blue line, where the Canadiens currently have ten NHL-calibre defensemen competing for only seven roster spots.
📌 Where things become especially interesting for the Canadiens is looking ahead to the 2027-28 season. Josh Anderson ($5.5 million), Phillip Danault ($5.5 million), Kirby Dach ($3.6 million), Alexandre Carrier ($3.75 million) and Samuel Montembeault ($3.15 million) are all scheduled to come off the books, representing roughly $21.5 million in salaries. At the same time, the NHL salary cap is projected to climb from $104 million to $113.5 million, another $9.5 million increase. Even after accounting for significant raises for Ivan Demidov (+8.2M) and Jakub Dobeš (+$4.4M), the Canadiens could still have close to $18 million in extra spending room. That kind of financial flexibility would give Kent Hughes plenty of ammunition if he feels the time has come to take an even bigger swing.