Key Takeaways
The Montreal Canadiens are expected to make more moves after the blockbuster Noah Dobson trade.
Sources told RG that Montreal is still poking around Jordan Kyrou for top-six help while they're also interested in Evgeny Kuznetsov.
The Habs are also looking to clear more cap space in the coming months.
General manger Kent Hughes of the Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Montreal Canadiens’ busy summer isn’t slowing down. After making a splash by acquiring Noah Dobson to solidify their defense, management remains focused on adding scoring punch to their top-6. With the centre market stagnant, Montreal has pivoted toward wings like Jordan Kyrou, seeking to bolster their offense around rising star Ivan Demidov. The Habs know time is ticking to build a competitive roster before their young core hits its prime.
Meanwhile, Montreal faces challenges off the ice, including potential moves to clear salary and tricky decisions around bonuses if they sign Evgeny Kuznetsov. While fans dream of big moves, sources suggest patience will be key—especially with the Canadiens balancing their long-term window against the urgency to add proven talent. As the offseason progresses, Montreal remains one of the NHL’s most intriguing teams to watch.
In The Market For Scoring
Although the Canadiens spent a lot of their draft capital on acquiring a top-pair RD in Noah Dobson, they are not done looking to improve their top-six.
“The Canadiens are far from done,” said a source close to the situation.”I’ve heard of them still actively looking for a fit on their top-6.”
Jordan Kyrou continues to be a player the Canadiens have shown interest in, even after trading one of their best trade chips in Logan Mailloux to St-Louis for Zachary Bolduc.
When I first reported the Canadiens’ interest in both Noah Dobson and Kyrou two weeks ago, the Canadiens had identified those two age-appropriate pieces as being the way to improve their club until they figure out a long-term solution at centre.
That being said, nothing appears to be imminent on the Kyrou front. Despite his No-Trade Clause kicking in, he continues to be a hot topic for multiple NHL teams.
There's an expectation that some teams may be more apt to shaking loose their trading apprehension after missing out on free agents.
“Teams that missed out are eager to improve by other means, that's where the Canadiens could try to build a hockey trade,” said the source.
Pending RFA and UFA, Jason Robertson and Martin Necas are other names that have been out there, as Dallas and Colorado continue to figure out their future with their club.
With the centre market being absolutely bone-dry at the moment, the Canadiens feel that they’ll need to prepare themselves to pounce when one is made available. However, in the meantime, they’d like to enter next season with another piece to play alongside Ivan Demidov.
“The Canadiens always make a splash later in the summer, and, like last summer, they want to reward their core for a job well done,” said the same source.
The Canadiens believe that getting a bona fide top-6 piece would not only help ground Demidov, but could also be a perfect launching part for Kirby Dach to bounce back after two difficult years.
Despite some rumors online, it doesn’t seem like Anthony Cirelli is in play in Tampa Bay, as is full No-Trade Clause just kicked in on July 1. He’s got a sweetheart contract at $6.25M for another five seasons , and the Bolts don’t have anyone to replace him currently.
Tampa is in fact a buyer at the moment, looking for more help in their top-6 after striking out on acquiring JJ Peterka and Nik Ehlers, who signed with the Carolina Hurricanes.
No Major Offer Sheets Coming
For those expecting the Montreal Canadiens to get into the offer sheet game to try and pluck out Mason McTavish from Anaheim, it doesn’t look like they are ready to test Ducks GM Pat Verbeek.
“McTavish doesn’t want to leave Anaheim and GMs are very hesitant to give up their 2026 1st round picks in advance in what is supposed to be a stacked 2026 draft,” said a league source. “Right now, teams are using offer sheets as a threat, but that won’t work on Anaheim. They routinely take their time with their RFAs and this is nothing new.”
The Montreal Canadiens have said it time and time again that they won’t make deals that would impede the long-term contention window of the team once their core pieces reach maturity. Using a high-end offer sheet, which could deprive the Canadiens of multiple, unprotected first-round picks doesn’t seem to be in the cards.
“Could you imagine if the Canadiens are plagued with injuries again and hand another club a lottery pick? Fans would revolt,” continued the source. “It’s a great tool to start a conversation, but too many teams have cap space right now, so using it to jumpstart trade talks is the way to go.”
That being said, a source close to the situation doesn’t believe anything is imminent on the McTavish front, and that the Ducks will handle the situation in due time.
Interest in Kuznetsov & Veleno
On top of their interest in bringing in left-shot centre Joe Veleno, the Canadiens are kicking tires on another left-handed centre; a striking need with the departure of Christian Dvorak.
RG Media first reported that Evgeny Kuznetsov would like to make an NHL comeback and that nearly 10 teams had shown interest in him. Since then, we’ve received word that the Montreal Canadiens are indeed one of those teams; and the fit is rather easy to understand.
Due to Montreal’s lack of centre depth, Kuznetsov would get guaranteed minutes playing next to his former SKA teammate, Ivan Demidov. It would also give the Canadiens an extra year to figure out what they have in Michael Hage and Dach.
Kuznetsov’s camp is said to be mulling over a few offers at the moment and will be making a decision in the coming days. They're looking for the best fit possible at the moment on a winning roster.
For the Canadiens, they still believe that Kirby Dach could be their second-line centre for next season, but want some insurance as well as options when it comes to left-handed centres.
That being said, the Canadiens have left no stone unturned this summer; which means they're weighing their options and setting up plans B, C and D.
Canadiens Looking To Clear Salary
This is perhaps the most “duh, tell me something I don’t know” moment in this report.
The Canadiens are currently $5.42M over the salary cap at the moment, with Jayden Struble left to sign. After making the big play for Noah Dobson at the draft, the Canadiens have to shed salary if they wish to not enter the 2025-2026 season on LTIR.
“I don’t do the numbers thing, but I know they’re looking to move salary, with Carey Price’s contract probably being the easiest thing to move,” said the source.
Using the offseason LTIR formula to become cap compliant isn’t something the Canadiens wanted to use when they weren’t expected to be competitive; and it’s even less likely now.
Carey Price’s final signing bonus, a whopping $5.5M, is set to be paid out on September 1. His remaining salary for the year would be $2M, despite having a cap hit of $10.5M, of which 60% is covered by insurance.
That could be interesting for teams looking to get to, or very close to, the salary floor of 70.6M. Currently, the team to watch would be the San Jose Sharks, who signed Dmitry Orlov and picked up Nick Leddy on waivers to get compliant.
They have upwards of 10 upcoming free agents that could be moved out between now and the trade deadline. A contract like Price’s would give them the insurance necessary to move out those contracts for futures without dipping under the salary cap floor.
Another team to watch would be the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are actively looking to unload some of their veterans in order to acquire young players or futures and set themselves up for a favorable draft pick in 2026.
Opening a 2nd Buyout Window?
A buyout could be possible with Jayden Struble electing for salary arbitration, as the Canadiens' would gain a second buyout window after concluding a contract with their young defenseman.
It's worth noting that Kent Hughes was Struble's former agent/family advisor and, even if he is now repped by Philippe Lecavalier, it would be surprising that both parties are far apart on money.
That being said, the only player who could make sense would be Patrik Laine's $8.7 deal; saving them $4.7M in cap space for next season, but hampering them would a $2.3M cap hit in 2026-2027. To be clear, there is no indication at this time that the Canadiens want to move on from Laine.
It would be doubtful that something like that could happen, but, with the Canadiens working the phones and looking to add players for the long-term, all options need to remain available and this gives them an extra option.
The Canadiens are leaving themselves some options, but the goal remains a trade.
