Montreal Canadiens: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Jayden Struble and Samuel Montembeault will play tonight, but Patrik Laine will not

Recently, Arber Xhekaj’s playing time has been melting away like snow in the sun. And it will melt even more tonight. Renaud Lavoie, who attended the Canadiens’ practice today, reported that Jayden Struble was paired with Alexandre Carrier in practice this morning.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

The strange use of Alexandre Texier is causing a stir

Alexandre Texier has seen a lot of action in recent months. Between October 8 and November 19, he played in only eight of the St. Louis Blues’ 20 games.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / February 4

The Rocket has still not named a goaltending coach

Last week, the Canadiens announced that Marco Marciano was the new goalie coach for the habs. That said, everyone quickly made the following connection: if Éric Raymond has been replaced by Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes, who will work with the goalies downstairs?

Phillip Danault News / The Hockey Writers / February 4

Breaking Down Phillip Danault’s Impact on the Montreal Canadiens

When the Montreal Canadiens acquired Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings, the move didn’t generate fireworks around the league. There was no blockbuster package, no long-term commitment, and no illusion that Danault would suddenly transform the Habs into a different team overnight. But context matters.

Patrick Kane News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'American-born NHL points leaders' quiz

How many of the 35 American-born NHL players to reach the 700-point milestone can you name in five minutes?

The 'NHL Maurice Richard Trophy winners' quiz

The 'NHL all-time goal leaders' quiz

The 'All-time points leader by NHL team' quiz

Jacob Fowler News / Dose.ca / February 4

Jacob Fowler honors Quebec and the Canadiens on his All-Star Game mask

As you probably know, Jacob Fowler was selected for the AHL All-Star Game. The Rocket’s goalie, who also played with the Canadiens, is having a great season in the American Hockey League.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The 25 best NHL teams who didn't win the Stanley Cup

In the lore of the NHL, it's the Stanley Cup-winning teams that are remembered the most from seasons past. Yet, when looking back on the best of the best

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / February 4

Trade deadline: Here’s what to watch for with the Canadiens today

Yesterday, the Canadiens sent Samuel Blais to waivers, as you know. Patrik Laine’s name came up in discussions, but it quickly became clear that no, the goal was not to make room for him.

Jonathan Toews News / The Hockey Writers / February 4

How Canadiens Stack Up Against Toews’ Blackhawks Dynasty

Right or wrong, the general rule of thumb dictates experience wins Stanley Cups. So, the Montreal Canadiens, who started the 2025-26 season as the youngest team in the NHL, are clearly out of luck, right?

Patrik Laine News / Dose.ca / February 4

Patrik Laine could count on the habs’ depth in the playoffs even if he is traded

Earlier tonight, we learned that Patrik Laine will apparently not be back in action tomorrow night. So he probably won’t play before the Olympic break… which will begin after tomorrow’s game for the Canadiens.

Kirby Dach News / The Sick Podcast / February 3

Is Kirby Dach the Perfect Fit For The Top Line?

For the past two games, forward Kirby Dach has been replacing an injured Alexandre Texier on the Montreal Canadiens’ top line and has shown that he may be the better fit between him and the player from France.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / February 3

Ryan O’Reilly: the Canadiens have gotten involved in the situation

We’ve known for months that the habs are looking for help at center. The club has a well-established first-line center and depth (especially since the arrival of Phillip Danault), but the second-line center position continues to be a topic of discussion.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Sick Podcast / February 3

Breaking News: Sammy Blais Placed On Waivers

The Montreal Canadiens announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have placed forward Sammy Blais on waivers. This news comes after Blais had been a healthy scratch for the last 8 games.

NHL News / Field Level Media / February 3

Jets and Canadiens, headed in opposite directions, face off

The Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets face off Wednesday night as both clubs arrive at a key juncture in the NHL schedule. The Canadiens extended their point streak to four games but fell 4-3 in overtime to the Minnesota Wild on Monday night.

Samuel Montembeault News / Dose.ca / February 3

'It’s obvious that Samuel Montembeault will be in goal tomorrow night.'

Samuel Montembeault hasn’t played since January 24. That’s a long time. But… there’s a reason for that: Jakub Dobes has been on fire in front of the net lately.

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

The 'Skill-position Pro-Bowlers' quiz

The 'Super Bowl starting QBs' quiz

The 'Super Bowl host cities' quiz

The 'Most TD in first two NFL seasons' quiz

Samuel Blais News / Dose.ca / February 3

Samuel Blais: four theories to explain his presence on the waivers

The Canadiens decided to place Samuel Blais on waivers this afternoon. What you need to know is that the Canadiens didn’t do this for fun. If Kent Hughes took the chance of losing Blais (again) to another team, it’s because he needed to free up a spot in his 23-player roster.

Montreal Canadiens News / Pro Hockey Rumors / February 3

Canadiens Place Sammy Blais On Waivers

The Canadiens placed winger Sammy Blais on waivers Tuesday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. He’ll presumably be on his way to AHL Laval tomorrow if he clears.

Arber Xhekaj News / Dose.ca / February 3

Arber Xhekaj is (almost) not playing: A solution must be found for the sixth defenseman position

5 minutes and 51 seconds. Why am I starting my article with these words? Because that’s how much time Arber Xhekaj spent on the ice last night in Minnesota.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / February 3

David Savard played goalie for Alex Newhook this morning in Brossard

The Canadiens are off today. The team won’t be practicing since they’ve announced a travel day. But there was still some action in Brossard: Alex Newhook, who hasn’t played since November 13, jumped on the ice to work on his return to the game.

NHL News / Inside The Rink / February 3

Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers linked to trade

With the timing of the season, rumors will pop up everywhere, and a recent one has the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers rumored to be on a deal.

Generous Oilers focused on sagging defense for clash vs. Leafs

Wild outlast Canadiens in overtime thriller

25 current NHL players who will end up in the Hall of Very Good

The 'American-born NHL points leaders' quiz

Nazem Kadri News / NHL Trade Talk / February 3

Nazem Kadri to the Canadiens Will Never Happen

Nazem Kadri’s name keeps drifting back into the Montreal conversation, and it’s happened recently again. Marco D’Amico’s note that Kadri would approve a move to the Canadiens gave people something new to chew on.

NHL News / Yardbarker / February 2

Surprising Barry Trotz decision gives Predators chance to reset

A disappointing end to Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz's long run with the organization could be the perfect opportunity for a much-needed reset.

Artemi Panarin would waive to join Oilers as rental in Cup chase

Stars acquire Jeremie Poirier from Flames for Gavin White

Penguins activate defenseman Ryan Graves from injured reserve

Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly won’t return until after Olympic break

Bruins, Lightning deliver one of best outdoor games ever

Montreal Canadiens News / Daily Faceoff / February 2

What tier are the Montreal Canadiens in?

The Montreal Canadiens are a certified contender for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but where do they stand against the rest of the NHL? The Canadiens made waves by snapping their postseason drought last season, and entered the 2025-26 season with expectations to make it back to the playoffs.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Hockey Writers / February 2

Canadiens’ Evolving Roster Needs Will Affect Their Trade Deadline Strategy

Montreal Canadiens General Manager (GM) Kent Hughes has identified several areas of need, but which ones are the most pressing, heading into the 2026 Trade

Nazem Kadri News / NHL Trade Talk / February 2

Canadiens’ Interest in Nazem Kadri Changed by Other Moves

The Montreal Canadiens explored acquiring Nazem Kadri earlier this season, but sources indicate those discussions have since gone quiet as the organization’s needs have evolved.

Kaapo Kahkonen News / Pro Hockey Rumors / February 2

Kaapo Kahkonen Eyeing International Options For Next Season

Aside from serving as a backup in Montreal for one game this season, goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen has been exclusively in the minors with AHL Laval. It was similar in 2024-25 as despite multiple waiver claims, he only got into two NHL contests with the rest coming in the minors.

Montreal Canadiens News / Last Word On Sports / February 1

NHL Rumours: Update on Montreal Canadiens Goaltender Situation

Welcome back to another edition of NHL Rumours from the crew at Last Word on Hockey. We’re just days away from the Olympic break and while some players will be off to play in the games, others will enjoy a short vacation from the ice.