Montreal Canadiens: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Multiple Teams Want Xhekaj — Montreal Holding Firm on Trade Stance

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj remains unsigned, which has apparently opened the door for rival GMs to dial up Kent Hughes and explore what it might cost to acquire him in a trade.

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Here’s what Nick Suzuki needs to work on this summer (according to Pierre McGuire)

Nick Suzuki just had the best season of his career, racking up 101 points (in 82 games). The Canadiens' captain has established himself as one of the NHL's best players, while also being utilized in every situation by Martin St-Louis.

Kirill Marchenko News / Dose.ca / July 30

'I don’t know if Kirill Marchenko is a good fit for the Canadiens.'

Kirill Marchenko is the hottest name in Montreal right now. I wonder why… He's not a perfect player—he wasn't the Blue Jackets' best player when the team was trying to make a push for the playoffs in recent months.

Michael Hage News / Dose.ca / July 30

Michael Hage: An Injury That Could Prove Costly

Last spring, the Canadiens were ready to sign Michael Hage to an NHL contract. Because he wasn't in top physical shape (he finished his NCAA season sidelined by an injury), he wasn't able to play in the playoffs with the Habs—or even the Rocket.

Macklin Celebrini 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

Samuel Montembeault News / Dose.ca / July 30

Samuel Montembeault has become a dad

Samuel Montembeault's future in Montreal remains unclear. In the meantime, the goaltender continues to train in Brossard and had a wonderful moment last week.

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.

Jacob Fowler News / The Sick Podcast / July 29

Montreal Canadiens Role Profiles: Jacob Fowler

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.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / July 29

Arber’s agent, Xhekaj, thinks Kent Hughes is 'tough'

Arber Xhekaj still doesn't have a contract lined up for next season. The defenseman, who finds himself caught between being the team's sixth and seventh defensemen, needs to reach an agreement with the CH by the start of the season.

Jacques Lemaire News / Dose.ca / July 29

Jacques Lemaire thought the CH would win the Stanley Cup last spring

The Montreal Canadiens gave us some thrilling moments last spring. The team's playoff run ignited passion throughout the city, and the good news is that we might see this scenario play out again before long.

Sasha Pastujov News / NHL Trade Talk / July 29

The Canadiens See Something Others Missed in Sasha Pastujov

The Montreal Canadiens getting Sasha Pastujov from the Anaheim Ducks is one of those trades that doesn’t scream “big splash.” However, it probably matters more than it looks on the surface—especially if you’re watching Montreal’s long game.

NHL News / Dose.ca / July 29

Laine’s Forged Signature, Aho the Rockstar, and the New Leafs

Those idiots with fake accounts on X… Seriously, I always wonder: 1. Who gets a kick out of fooling people? 2. Who falls for it without checking? Whatever, they exist and we have to deal with them.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / July 29

Jake Allen didn’t like the love triangle in Montreal (and he made sure to point that out)

In his final season with the Canadiens, Jake Allen played a total of 21 games. But it's worth noting that in '23–'24, the Habs decided to stick with three goalies for a long time.

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.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / July 29

Contract: An Intriguing Theory About Zachary Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj

Right now, Zachary Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj are restricted free agents. The Canadiens can't lose them without having the right to counter. But if the season started today, they wouldn't be able to play in any games.

Lane Hutson News / Dose.ca / July 29

'Leaving $100 million on the table': Lane Hutson’s contract is causing a stir

The Canadiens' salary structure is often praised throughout the league. And that's to be expected. After all, aside from the fact that it might hold some people back when it comes time to consider adding a big salary, there aren't many downsides to seeing the Habs in this position.

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The '4-TD, 0-INT NFL games' quiz

The 'Most NBA Finals points' quiz

The 'Most passing-TD's by NFL team' quiz

The '250 three-pointer NBA seasons' quiz

Montreal Canadiens News / The Sick Podcast / July 29

The Blue Line Battle Within The Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have spent years searching for quality on the blue line. Today, they have something that every successful organization eventually hopes to have instead: problems.

David Reinbacher News / Dose.ca / July 28

David Reinbacher: Very Reassuring News About His Summer Training

David Reinbacher hasn't had an easy journey since being drafted in 2023. The fifth overall pick in that draft has been plagued by injuries, which have slowed his development.

Sean Farrell News / Pro Hockey Rumors / July 28

Ducks Sign Sean Farrell

The Anaheim Ducks have signed forward Sean Farrell to a one-year, two-way contract. This deal comes on the heels of Anaheim’s acquisition of Farrell in a deal that sent winger Sasha Pastujov back to the Montreal Canadiens.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Hockey Writers / July 28

5 Canadiens Chasing Milestones in 2026-27

While team success will remain the Montreal Canadiens’ top priority in 2026-27, several key players will also have the opportunity to reach significant career milestones along the way.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / July 28

Canadien: Two factors that highlight the size of the hole in the center

Currently, the Canadiens' center corps is incomplete. The Habs may have Nick Suzuki, but they have no other center who is clearly worthy of the top six on a top National Hockey League team.

Sasha Pastujov News / The Hockey Writers / July 28

Canadiens’ Prospect Pipeline Gets Bigger, Younger with Pastujov Trade

The Montreal Canadiens gave fans, who had been disappointed prospect Sean Farrell hadn’t progressed as anticipated, a renewed sense of hope something good could come out of his development.

NHL News / Pro Hockey Rumors / July 27

Canadiens, Ducks Complete Minor Swap

The Anaheim Ducks announced that they have acquired forward Sean Farrell from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Sasha Pastujov. Both players remain without contracts for the 2026-27 season. Farrell, 24, used to be an intriguing prospect for the Canadiens.

Montreal Canadiens News / Daily Faceoff / July 27

2026-27 NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown: Montreal Canadiens’ Top 10

Welcome back. It’s time for Daily Faceoff’s third annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all 32 teams have to offer. We’re highlighting the top 10 prospects for every franchise, their biggest strengths and weaknesses, and so much more.

Samuel Montembeault News / NHLFanCentral / July 26

Montreal Canadiens stuck with Sam Montembeault as goaltending situation shifts

The Montreal Canadiens may be stuck with goaltender Sam Montembeault this season. The team reportedly had been exploring a trade for him, but interest has been minimal so far. This situation leaves Montreal facing a crowded goaltending situation heading into the training sessions.