Montreal was given some semi-good news on Tuesday when it was announced Patrik Laine was only expected to miss two to three months with a sprained left knee from a hit endured by Toronto's Cedric Pare. The 26-year-old winger was acquired from Columbus in late August for a 2026 2nd-round pick and Jordan Harris after he put up six goals, nine points, and 41 SOG in 18 games in 2023-24.
Reinbacher suffered a knee injury in the Canadiens' preseason game vs. the Maple Leafs and is expected to be sidelined until at least early-March. This is a tough blow in a big developmental year for the 2023 No.5 overall pick. The 19-year-old blueliner appeared in 11 AHL games a season ago, scoring two goals with three assists.
Laine's well-documented time in Columbus has come to an end after he was traded to Montreal alongside a 2026 3rd-round pick for Jordan Harris. The 26-year-old only appeared in 18 games in 2023-24 after a clavicle injury and trip to the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program took his season from him. The 26-year-old has not surpassed 60 points since 2019-20 and is far from his 19-year-old self who had 44 goals and 70 points in 82 games played. He is expected to join Montreal's top-six for the start of the 2024-25 season.
Guhle was set to become an RFA at the end of the 2024-25 season, but gets an extension done early and is now signed through the 2030-31 season. The 22-year-old defenseman was selected No.16 overall in 2020 and essentially skipped the AHL after spending four seasons in the WHL. Most recently, he had 22 points (6G / 16A) in 70 games while ranking second among Canadiens' blueliners in TOI/gm (20:51).
Montreal locked up their designated "tough guy" on Tuesday after they signed Arber Xhekah to a two-year, $2.6 million contract extension ($1,300,000 AAV). The undrafted 23-year-old is entering his third NHL season after putting up three goals and 10 points in 44 games played in 2023-24. In 95 career NHL games played, he has 182 PIMs.
Laine entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in December 2023 and has been officially released on Friday which is expected to expedite his trade request from earlier this summer. The 26-year-old former 2nd overall pick has not appeared in more than 56 games since 2019-20 and had only six goals, nine points and 41 SOG in 18 gmaes played in 2023-24.
In a bit of an early blow for Montreal, forward Rafael Harvey-Pinard announced Friday that he had successfully underwent surgery for his leg and is expected to miss at least the first four months of the 2024-25 season. The 25-year-old winger set career highs in games played (45) and assists (8) in 2023-24 but had a down year overall with only 10 total points and a -2 plus/minus.
Nashville locked up one of its RFAs on Monday after it signed Alexandre Carrier to a three-year deal worth $11.25 million ($3.75M AAV). The 27-year-old just completed his sixth season in Nashville and had four goals, 20 points, 44 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus in 73 games played in 2023-24.
Montreal has added to their depth by signing winger Alex Barre-Boulet to a one-year, $775,000 contract on Monday. The 27-year-old centre put up career highs in games payed (36), goals (6) and points (9) in 2023-24 with Tampa Bay.
After a successful second career season in Montreal, Juraj Slafkovsky has signed an eight-year contract extension worth $60.8 million ($7.6M AAV). The 20-year-old was the 2022 1st overall pick and had 20 goals, 50 points, 55 PIMs, and 152 SOG in 82 games played in 2023-24. The 6'3" forward has 24 goals and 60 points in 121 career games played.
Kapanen is Montreal's 2021 second-round pick (64th overall) and has been signed to a three-year, entry-level contract on Saturday with the Canadiens. The 20-year-old Finish centre spent 2023-24 with KalPa (Liiga) and had 14 goals, and 34 points in 51 games played.
Montreal made their first off-season signing on Tuesday as they brought in Connor Hughes from Switzerland for a one-year, two-way contract which starts in the 2024-25 season. The 27-year-old travelling netminder had never played higher than the GOJHL in North America and has played in either the NL or SL league in Switzerland since 2017-18. In 2023-24 he appeared in 19 games for Lausanne HC (NL) and had an impressive 1.73 GAA and .940 SV%.
With the Canadiens' season concluded, Roy has been reassigned to the Laval Rocket (AHL). Roy recorded nine points (4G / 5A) in 23 games with the Canadiens this season.
With the Canadiens' season concluded, Struble has been reassigned to the Laval Rocket (AHL). The 22-year-old has enjoyed a strong rookie season this year, with three goals, 10 points, 47 SOG, 57 PIMs and his -3 plus/minus through 56 games played.
With the Canadiens' season concluded, Mailloux will return to the Laval Rocket (AHL) after making his NHL debut on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 21-year-old has played 70 games with the Laval Rocket in his first professional season, scoring 47 points (14G / 33A).
Struble was a healthy scratch for Monday's loss but will draw back into the lineup for the back-to-back on Tuesday as he replaces Jordan Harris. The 22-year-old has enjoyed a strong rookie season this year, with three goals, nine points, 46 SOG, 57 PIMs and his -4 plus/minus through 55 games played.
Primeau will take the crease for the second half of Montreal's back-to-back with Detroit on Tuesday in Montreal. The 24-year-old took a big step forward in 2023-24 with career highs in almost all statistical categories such as .910 SV%, 2.95 GAA, and two shutouts to go along with his 8-9-3 record. He hosts the desperate Detroit Red Wings for game 82, who need another victory on Tuesday to have a shot at making the playoffs.
Mailloux was the 31st overall pick of the Canadiens in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old has played 70 games with the Laval Rocket in his first professional season, scoring 47 points (14G / 33A).
Tuch was a second-round pick (No.47 overall) in 2020 and spent four years at Boston University, where he had 10 goals and 20 assists (30 points) in 39 games this season.
Struble recorded an assist and a +1 plus/minus in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators but will be a healthy scratch on Monday night. Lane Hutson will draw into the lineup and make his NHL debut.
