Canadiens’ Looming Roster Bottleneck Demands Tough Calls

But with Hage, Beck, and Oliver Kapanen pressing for centre-ice reps, keeping Dach on an expiring deal blocks the exact top-nine runway those prospects need. Packaging his remaining upside to a team seeking middle-six centre depth allows Hughes to turn a lingering question mark into fresh asset capital. Moving him out before the trade deadline would make way for players like Bech to remain full-time in Montreal while recouping some assets.

In net, Samuel Montembeault has been everything the Canadiens could have asked for when they acquired him on waivers, a proud local product who stepped up, provided crease stability, and handled the Montreal pressure cooker with absolute grace. But with his step back in effectiveness last season and Jacob Fowler’s arrival (the NHL’s Rookie of the month for October) displaying franchise-goaltender pedigree along with Jakub Dobes progressing, carrying a veteran starter on an expiring contract into 2027 creates an unnecessary logjam. Moving Montembeault to a contender in need of tandem strength could net a return that could be used to help build a package to fill needs elsewhere on the roster, but more importantly, it officially hands the keys to the next era in goal.

Keep, But Only Until Summer

That is precisely why blueliner Alexandre Carrier represents a primary candidate to keep until summer. Right-shot defensemen who play with poise, suppress high-danger chances, and mentor younger partners don’t grow on trees. Even as Reinbacher is groomed to assume a top-four role, having a dependable veteran like Carrier on his expiring $3.75 million cap hit provides crucial insurance. He stabilizes the room and buys time without blocking growth.

However, extending Carrier beyond July 1, 2027, presents a financial footprint the Canadiens simply don’t need to take on. Reinbacher’s progression into top-four duties will naturally arrive by next season and Carrier will command a lucrative raise on his next contract once this deal concludes, and committing long-term term or higher annual average value to an aging depth defenseman directly threatens Montreal’s future cap flexibility. By letting Carrier carry the load through the 2026–27 campaign and walk in free agency, Hughes can seamlessly hand the right side over to Reinbacher while reallocating that essential cap space to address the organization’s pressing need for high-end top-six forward talent.

Needs to Be Re-Signed

Veterans like Phillip Danault, whose second stint served as a vital defensive bridge, will reach the end of his contract paying him $5.5 million per season. By July 2027, the argument will be that holding onto stopgap veterans past their expiration date directly starves guys like Hage, Kapanen, and Beck, whose value continues to grow , of the precise centre-ice responsibility required to finish their development. Letting those contracts expire cleanly is a necessary act of trust in the draft-and-develop pipeline. However, if the deal is short-term, and a low cap hit, keeping him on hand as a fourth line option won’t block the youth. There will be some roster turnover, which will likely include a trade that will see several players leave the Canadiens. Keeping a veteran like Danault can be an ideal mentor for players like Beck and Florian Xhekaj as they refine their defensive play.

The only other that could truly be considered as a keeper, Josh Anderson is also entering the final year of his deal in 2026–27 worth $5.5 million, and he would be a textbook deadline asset that could net Hughes a high-quality return. Speed and straight-line power are always in high demand come March and yields a significant return. However, those assets are also ideal for a Canadiens roster looking to make another deep playoff run. The 32-year-old also holds a leadership role in the room as an alternate captain, and for a young team, this is an important need to be filled. He could be re-signed for three to four years at a lower cap hit than he currently holds.

Not many Canadiens fans would be upset at a three-year deal worth around $4 million. Before anyone scoffs, there is a long track record of players taking less money and term to remain with the Canadiens. Not many veterans who had suffered through the lean years of a rebuild would want to leave when the contending years are right around the corner.

The Canadiens have built something sustainable by leading with patience and clear intent. But as the next wave arrives, managing the upcoming unrestricted free agent class will be Hughes and Gorton’s most delicate act yet: cutting the cord at the right time, holding onto the right leaders, and making sure the door is unlocked for the kids ready to walk through it.