Habs Notes from Preseason Game 2

September 24, 2025 The Philadelphia Flyers were in Montreal to face the Canadiens on Tuesday for their second preseason game. It was a bit of a fast and furious affair that ended with a 4-2 win for the Habs. Here are some things I noticed. The top line picked up where they left off. ThereContinue reading “Habs Notes from Preseason Game 2”

Some notes from the Habs first preseason game

September 23, 2025 The 2025-26 edition of the storied Montreal Canadiens had their first preseason contest Monday night. The Pittsburgh Penguins were in town and the result was a shootout win for the Habs. Here’s what caught my eye in this one. Owen Beck and Filip Mesar showed some chemistry. And they’ll likely get toContinue reading “Some notes from the Habs first preseason game”

The Habs have some battles and bottom lines in training camp

September 21, 2025 The Montreal Canadiens kicked off training camp this week along with 31 other NHL teams. Camp has a different feel this year following a surprise appearance in last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. The Habs have shifted into a different phase of the build. Early in camp, Sportsnet’s Eric Engels posted a photoContinue reading “The Habs have some battles and bottom lines in training camp”

Options A-E to Resolve the Habs 2C Issue

September 8, 2025 The Montreal Canadiens need a second line centreman. It’s been the obsession of fans and pundits for the entire off-season, and no doubt the focus of many management discussions. Now the summer is winding down, and the hole at 2C remains. Having traded away Carey Price’s contract, HuGo is currently positioned toContinue reading “Options A-E to Resolve the Habs 2C Issue”

For the next Habs window to truly open, another had to close

September 6, 2025 Yesterday, an era came to an end in Montreal. The Canadiens traded Carey Price’s contract and a fifth round pick to the San Jose Sharks. In return, the Habs also took on the contract of minor leaguer Gannon Laroque. The move marks the closing of one window and supports the opening ofContinue reading “For the next Habs window to truly open, another had to close”

What’s in store for the Habs this August?

August 1, 2025 The silence is deafening in the NHL right now. Deep in the off-season, management groups are enjoying the last weeks of a break before getting back to refining their team. Fans of the Montreal Canadiens are acutely aware of two things. The first is that following the early days of free agency,Continue reading “What’s in store for the Habs this August?”

The Struble contract is both mundane and meaningful

July 30, 2025 On Monday, the Montreal Canadiens avoided arbitration with defenseman Jayden Struble when team and player came to terms on a two-year contract worth $2.825 million. There is little excitement to find in this deal. It’s a sensible deal. An obvious outcome. Mundane, run of the mill business. Struble was a restricted freeContinue reading “The Struble contract is both mundane and meaningful”

Joe Veleno gives the Habs another patch while they wait to fill a hole

July 19, 2025 On Wednesday, the Montreal Canadiens announced they had signed a one-year one-way contract with forward Joe Veleno. The contract comes with a $900K annual average value, which is a nice price for a depth forward. The Habs needed to replace some depth. Several bottom six forwards have left Montreal. Michael Pezzetta didContinue reading “Joe Veleno gives the Habs another patch while they wait to fill a hole”

The plan for the Habs D is entangled with the plan for Mike Matheson

July 14, 2025 The Montreal Canadiens went into the off-season with some obvious questions about their defense group. David Savard had announced his retirement and, with him being one of two right shots on defense, the hole he was leaving was real. The questions were obvious. Would David Reinbacher and/or Logan Mailloux be ready toContinue reading “The plan for the Habs D is entangled with the plan for Mike Matheson”

Early in free agency, there are things we can surmise about the Habs

July 4, 2025 With the first wave of a fairly flat free agency already in the books, General Manager Kent Hughes has approached the 2025 free agency window of change much like he approached his first three at the helm of the Montreal Canadiens. Like years past, Hughes has not yet overpaid on one freeContinue reading “Early in free agency, there are things we can surmise about the Habs”