Montreal Canadiens: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Teams Are Calling the Canadiens About This Physical Defenseman

While the preference would be to get an extension signed, the Montreal Canadiens are reportedly fielding trade interest in restricted free agent defenseman Arber Xhekaj.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Projecting Kirby Dach’s Next Contract with the Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens and Kirby Dach are heading toward an interesting contract negotiation this summer. After extending him a qualifying offer worth $4 million for the 2026-27 season, the Canadiens retained control of the restricted free agent, but Dach elected not to sign the offer and instead filed for salary arbitration.

Arber Xhekaj News / Dose.ca / July 13

Arber Xhekaj: Several teams have contacted the Canadiens

The Canadiens have several defensemen under long-term contracts. Lane Hutson (2034), Noah Dobson (2033), Mike Matheson (2031), and Kaiden Guhle (2031) will be central to Martin St-Louis's game plan for many years to come.

Alexander Zharovsky News / Dose.ca / July 13

Alexander Zharovsky will be joined by the KHL’s all-time leading scorer

Alexander Zharovsky has one year remaining on his KHL contract. The young player, who will spend much of his summer in Montreal in 2026, is expected to make a permanent move to Quebec in 2027.

Gavin Mckenna News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

In the history of the NHL Draft, 64 players have been selected No. 1 overall. How many of the can you name in eight minutes?

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The 'Single-playoff goal leaders' quiz

The 'NHL saves leaders since 1995-96' quiz

NHL News / Yardbarker

The most underrated player for every NHL franchise

The best player in Washington Capitals history? Alex Ovechkin. The best Red Wing? Gordie Howe or Steve Yzerman…or maybe Nicklas Lidstrom. Some NHL franchises have a clear best player, while others have the proverbial Mount Rushmore of potential choices.

Montreal Canadiens News / Ball Exclusives / July 12

Why the Canadiens’ cap flexibility should be the envy of the NHL

After a global pandemic froze the NHL’s salary cap, general managers’ pockets are finally getting deeper — and it shows. Leo Carlsson recently signed a record-breaking five-year, $18 million extension with the Anaheim Ducks, courtesy of an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / July 12

'Owen Beck is a better player in the NHL than in the AHL'

Although the Canadiens still need to sign Zachary Bolduc and Kirby Dach (as well as defenseman Arber Xhekaj), we have a good idea of which forwards are likely to be in the lineup to start the season.

Lane Hutson News / Professor Press Box / July 12

Is Lane Hutson Ready for a Canadiens Leadership Role?

Lane Hutson is one of those players who makes you wonder what happens next—not just on the ice, but in the locker room too. When the Montreal Canadiens moved on from Brendan Gallagher, they obviously needed to make changes to the roster.

Derek Lalonde News / The Hockey Writers / July 12

Derek Lalonde Is Exactly What the Montreal Canadiens Need

The Montreal Canadiens made an unexpected coaching change this week when Trevor Letowski, a fixture on Martin St. Louis’s staff for five seasons, stepped down as assistant coach to spend more time with his family.

Brett Berard News / Professor Press Box / July 12

Canadiens’ Brett Berard Signing Reveals a Bigger Plan in the Works

Sometimes the most interesting moves of the offseason are not the ones that dominate the headlines. They are the ones that tell us how a team thinks. The Montreal Canadiens signing Brett Berard to a one-year, two-way contract is the kind of move that often reveals how an organization is trying to build.

Montreal Canadiens News / NHL Trade Talk / July 12

Canadiens Might Have Won the Offseason Before It Even Started

The Montreal Canadiens’ decision to lock up Ivan Demidov early is looking smarter by the day. Following Leo Carlsson‘s blockbuster offer sheet with Philadelphia (eventually matched by the Anaheim Ducks), Demidov’s eight-year, $9.15 million AAV extension already looks like a bargain by comparison.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / July 12

Search for a Top-6 Forward: the CH Is 'Frustrated'

As we know, the Canadiens would likely have liked to sign a top-6 forward this summer. And even though they could still do so, it seems the window of opportunity may now be closed.

Anthony Mantha News / Dose.ca / July 12

Hope for those who want to see Anthony Mantha in Montreal

Why is Anthony Mantha still a free agent? According to reports, the answer is clear: because the player wants a longer contract than what teams are willing to offer the big forward.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / July 12

The superb feints by Alexander Zharovsky and Zachary Bolduc

Yesterday, the Make Your Move event took place in Boisbriand. Basically, we saw several well-known hockey players—both active and retired—who showed up to delight the fans.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Women's Wimbledon champions' quiz

The 'Most three-pointers by NBA team' quiz

The '60-point NBA games' quiz

The '2026 American League All-Stars' quiz

Montreal Canadiens News / The Sick Podcast / July 12

Out of the Bleu, Blanc, Rouge: New Era in Canadiens Leadership

By JD Lagrange – Out of the Bleu, Blanc, Rouge: The week’s hot topics, served without sugar-coating or concern for bruised feelings. This week, we look at the potential candidates to become alternate-captains, and other hot topics around the Canadiens.

Ivan Demidov News / Dose.ca / July 11

Ivan Demidov is the best signing of the summer

Many fans are concerned about Kent Hughes' inaction since the start of the summer, while several of the Canadiens' direct rivals have bolstered their rosters ahead of the upcoming season.

NHL News / Dose.ca / July 11

'Kaiden Guhle reminds me of Shea Weber'

Ever since arriving in Montreal, Kaiden Guhle has been going through pretty much the same thing every year. The defenseman puts in solid performances on the ice… but he never plays a full season because of his tendency to get injured.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Hockey Writers / July 11

Canadiens’ Reinbacher Now Under the Gun with Konyushkov Signing

Maybe “now or never” is far too harsh an assessment of Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Reinbacher’s chances. However, following a litany of recent

Montreal Canadiens News / The Hockey Writers / July 11

Projecting Zachary Bolduc’s Next Contract with the Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have already taken care of several important pieces of their young core over the last few years. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj

NHL News / Dose.ca / July 11

'A Steal': Mikhail Grigorenko Loves Alexander Zharovsky’s Selection

Alexander Zharovsky is a talented player. After all, not every 18- or 19-year-old is capable of performing well in a league like the KHL. And the Canadiens prospect has truly had a great first full year as a pro.

Montreal Canadiens News / NHL on ClutchPoints / July 11

Canadiens sign KHL prospect to entry-level contract

The Montreal Canadiens have signed defenseman Bogdan Konyushkov to a two-year, entry-level contract covering the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, general manager Kent Hughes announced the agreement on Friday afternoon.

Bogdan Konyushkov News / Pro Hockey Rumors / July 10

Canadiens Sign Bogdan Konyushkov To Entry-Level Contract

According to a team announcement, the Montreal Canadiens have signed defenseman Bogdan Konyushkov to his entry-level contract. Montreal drafted Konyushkov with the 110th overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, and he’s been playing in the KHL ever since.

Brett Berard News / Pro Hockey Rumors / July 9

Montreal Canadiens Sign Brett Berard

The Montreal Canadiens have agreed to terms with one of their newly acquired forwards. According to a team announcement, the Canadiens have signed Brett Berard to a one-year, two-way deal for the 2026-27 season.

Derek Lalonde News / Daily Faceoff / July 8

Canadiens hire Derek Lalonde as assistant coach

The Montreal Canadiens will be making an adjustment to their coaching staff, as they’ve hired Derek Lalonde as an assistant coach. Lalonde will be replacing Trevor Letowski on the bench, although Letowski is not being fired in the move, as he is stepping away from the role to have more time with his family.

Montreal Canadiens News / Pro Hockey Rumors / July 8

Montreal Canadiens Sign Reilly Walsh

The Montreal Canadiens have poached a depth defenseman from the international free agent market. According to a team announcement, the Canadiens have signed defenseman Reilly Walsh to a one-year, two-way contract.

Kirby Dach News / NHL Trade Talk / July 6

Why Montreal’s Qualifying Offer to Kirby Dach Was So Unusual

Kirby Dach has filed for salary arbitration against the Montreal Canadiens — but the more interesting story might be why, and what might have happened just before that.