Montreal Canadiens: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Arber Xhekaj: His agent refuses to comment on the matter

Now that Cale Makar has signed his contract extension, another top defenseman is waiting to sign his deal. Quinn Hughes Arber Xhekaj still doesn't have a contract lined up for next season, and time is running out before the season starts.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Stop comparing Lane Hutson to Cale Makar

Cale Makar signed a massive contract a few hours ago. $20.4 million… per year… for eight years. It's the most lucrative contract in history. Ever since the signing, people haven't stopped praising Kent Hughes for the deal he offered Lane Hutson.

Montreal Canadiens News / Professor Press Box / August 28

Did Kent Hughes Just Get Another Chance With Montembeault?

There is something funny about the way NHL trades work. A player can be sitting there all summer, available, and nobody wants him. Then somebody gets hurt.

Ivan Demidov News / The Sick Podcast / August 28

Montreal Canadiens Role Profiles: Ivan Demidov

As we get into the dog days of summer and until training camp, thesickpodcast.com will profile Montreal Canadiens players based on their expected role for the 2026-27 NHL season.

San Jose Sharks News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The ''EA NHL,'' covers since 2000' quiz

How many of the players to grace the cover of each EA NHL video game going back to 'NHL 2000?"

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The 'Most NHL goals all-time' quiz

Lane Hutson News / Dose.ca / August 28

Lane Hutson: Corey Pronman Admits He Was Wrong… Or Almost

There's been a lot of talk about Corey Pronman in recent days. His recent rankings have sparked a lot of discussion… which is always the case year after year.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The best and worst NHL free agency deals since 2000

The NHL has had an interesting new millennium. It was a league sans a salary cap when the 2000s started… and then the owners locked the players out for an entire season.

Kent Hughes News / Dose.ca / August 28

Kent Hughes’ Next Challenge

Unless proven otherwise, the Canadiens will start the upcoming season with essentially the same lineup as the one we saw in the most recent playoffs. In Nick Suzuki's view, that's good news.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / August 28

Bolduc and Xhekaj are still waiting (and the reason could be a major trade)

Earlier this summer, Connor Hellebuyck or his agent had let it be known that he wanted to be traded. As of yesterday, this is no longer just a rumor; Connor Hellebuyck has publicly stated that he wants to play for another team because he wants to win.

Dylan Larkin News / The Hockey Writers / August 28

Unpacking the Latest Dylan Larkin to the Canadiens Trade Rumours

The Montreal Canadiens have been connected to plenty of big names over the last couple of years, and one of them is starting to make his way back into the rumour mill.

Connor Hellebuyck News / A Winning Habit / August 28

Canadiens have a few reasons to watch the Connor Hellebuyck rumors closely

The big news around the NHL was Connor Hellebuyck making his trade request from the Winnipeg Jets public. While the Montreal Canadiens should not be interested in trading for Connor Hellebuyck, there are a few reasons that they need to pay attention closely as this unfolds.

Kirby Dach News / The Hockey Writers / August 28

Kirby Dach Needs to Finally Cement Role With Canadiens or Be Replaced

The Montreal Canadiens began a rebuild when Kent Hughes was hired as their general manager on Jan. 18, 2022. Interestingly, instead of just adding as many future draft picks as possible, he also focused on bringing in young players that can help expedite the building process.

Nick Suzuki News / A Winning Habit / August 28

Why Nick Suzuki's latest comments put subtle pressure on the Canadiens front office

One of the big questions still lingering around the Montreal Canadiens is what they do with restricted free agents Zachary Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj. If Nick Suzuki has a say in the matter, he would like to see both return.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The defining figure for every NHL franchise

People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.

NHL News / Dose.ca / August 28

Pat Brisson let his chance with Nick Suzuki slip away

Even the best can miss one. Pat Brisson is one of the best-known agents in the world of hockey. His job involves, among other things, trying to identify the next big stars before they become stars.

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The '10-time Pro Bowlers' quiz

The 'Most TD passes in first two seasons' quiz

The 'Switch-hitter 35-HR seasons' quiz

The 'NFL passing leaders since 1970' quiz

Nick Suzuki News / Dose.ca / August 27

Nick Suzuki has no problem with a player earning $17 million in Montreal

Nick Suzuki will earn $7.875 million per season through 2030. So, let's imagine a scenario together: the Montreal Canadiens sign a true star… and offer him a contract worth 15, 16, or even 17 million dollars a year.

Ivan Demidov News / The Hockey Writers / August 27

Caandiens’ Demidov Primed to Break Out in 2026-27

The Montreal Canadiens have spent nearly two decades searching for a dynamic game-changing forward. For years, the narrative in Montreal revolved around structure, low-event efficiency, and waiting for dynamic magic that rarely materialized.

Ivan Demidov News / The Hockey Writers / August 27

Canadiens’ Demidov Primed to Break Out in 2026-27

Samuel Montembeault News / Dose.ca / August 27

'Samuel Montembeault and the Los Angeles Kings—could that happen?'

It's unclear what will happen with Samuel Montembeault. Will he be traded before the start of the season? Or will he be sent down to the American Hockey League instead?

Oliver Kapanen News / The Sick Podcast / August 27

Montreal Canadiens Role Profiles: Oliver Kapanen

As we get into the dog days of summer and until training camp, thesickpodcast.com will profile Montreal Canadiens players based on their expected role for the 2026-27 NHL season.

Jacob Fowler News / Dose.ca / August 27

Jacob Fowler: Once Again Ranked No. 1 Among the Top Goaltending Prospects

Jacob Fowler has a lot of potential. We know that. The Canadiens goaltender tops a list of the 25 best prospects at his position in a recent ranking by Steven Ellis (Daily Faceoff).

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / August 27

Kent Hughes’ Inaction: Nick Suzuki Steps into the Captain’s Role in Front of the Media

Nick Suzuki is an excellent captain. He never puts his foot in his mouth. The most recent example? At the Asista Foundation golf tournament, which he sponsors, Suzuki was questioned by reporters for the first time in several weeks.

Jeff Gorton News / Dose.ca / August 27

When Jeff Gorton teases a Maple Leafs fan

Season #3 of the series on the Canadiens’ rebuild on Crave is coming soon. Starting September 1, select episodes will be available to watch. But in the meantime, a clip has been posted on social media.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / August 27

Two years later, the Canadiens still have the same damn problem

The season is just around the corner, and the Canadiens still haven’t found their No. 2 center. Louis Jean said Tuesday night on 98.5 FM that Kent Hughes would have liked to have been more active during the offseason but wasn't able to be.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Hockey Writers / August 27

Top Canadiens Priorities Heading into 2026-27

There is absolutely no question: Last season was an incredible success for the Montreal Canadiens as they accumulated accolades aplenty as well as earned

Montreal Canadiens News / A Winning Habit / August 26

Remembering the Montreal Canadiens' greatest comeback in franchise history

Last season, the Montreal Canadiens built a reputation around being the “Comeback Kids,” setting a franchise record with 25 comeback victories. However, none of those victories can compare to what the Canadiens achieved on February 19, 2008, against the New York Rangers.

Kirby Dach News / The Sick Podcast / August 26