The Montreal Canadiens Re-Sign Two RFA Forwards

Davidson, a 5th-round draft pick by the Montreal Canadiens in 2022, played 10 games with the team as a mid-season call-up from the Laval Rocket. During his brief NHL stint, Davidson recorded an assist and 10 penalty minutes. In 53 games with the Rocket, the forward scored 16 goals and 25 points. Davidson particularly had a rough ending to the season after he scored nine goals in his first 13 games to start the year but only had seven in his final 40 games to end the 2025-26 campaign.

He will be looking to bounce back to being the solid scorer he showed he could be when he recorded 24 goals and 45 points for the Rocket during the 2024-25 season, as well as the player he was before his first NHL call-up.

Davidson is the type of forward that can do a little bit of everything with the Rocket, including being a physical force despite not being that big at 6’0″ and 183 lbs.  Considering that he can produce or be a bottom-six grinder, Davidson can realistically play anywhere in the Rocket’s lineup, which is what makes him continue to be valuable to the Montreal Canadiens organization. Unfortunately, his abilities haven’t carved out a role for him at the next level; however, the 24-year-old can still be a solid bottom-six forward in the NHL if he can take steps forward in his development this upcoming season.

McKown, who was traded to the Montreal Canadiens organization by the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 25th for forward Luke Tuch, is expected to be a bottom-six forward for the Laval Rocket and could be used as a key penalty killer. While he can produce his fair share of offence, he is a forward who excels most by supporting his defensemen in the defensive zone. With that being said, nobody should expect the newly signed forward to light the scoresheet on fire.

In 63 games with the Cleveland Monsters, McKown scored 9 goals and 25 points playing his shutdown style of play during the 2025-26 season. Like Davidson, McKown has also gotten a stint in the NHL; he played 12 games for the Blue Jackets right out of Colorado College, where he registered two assists. Since then, McKown has stayed in the AHL as a reliable option to help shut down his opponents.

The signings that the Montreal Canadiens made on Monday may not be players that will help the NHL team, but they are depth pieces that will be a big help to the Rocket this upcoming season.