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.
Veleno has served primarily as a bottom-6 centre for the Red Wings over the last three seasons. 2023-24 was his best offensive season to date, scoring 12 goals with 16 assists (28 points) in 80 games. Expect Veleno to continue operating in a similar role in 2024-25.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) added a depth piece on Tuesday after Pittsburgh signed Nathan Clurman to a one-year contract worth $775,000. The 26-year-old has yet to make an NHL appearance but has spent the last three and a half seasons between Colorado's AHL and ECHL teams.
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.
Winnipeg has locked up their backup goaltender on Monday after signing Kaapo Kahkonen to a one-year deal worth $1 million. The 27-year-old Finnish netminder spent 2023-24 split between San Jose and New Jersey and had a 7-24-3 record to go with his .898 SV%, and 3.64 GAA.
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.
After acquiring the RFA rights from the Blue Jackets in a trade, the Blues signed Texier to a two-year deal worth $2.1M AAV. Texier should continue to operate as a middle-6 winger in St. Louis after scoring 12 goals with 18 assists (30 points) in 78 games a season ago.
St. Louis completed a sign-and-trade on Friday as they acquired Alexandre Texier from Columbus for a 2025 4th-round pick and signed him to a two-year, $4.2 million contract extension ($2,1M AAV). The 24-year-old French winger had career highs in almost all statistical categories in 2023-24, with 12 goals, 30 points, 109 SOG, and 38 PIMs in 78 games played with the Blue Jackets.
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.
Dobson did not play the last three games of the season for the Islanders but was at practice on Friday, an encouraging sign that he should be ready for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 24-year-old Dobson had a tremendous season for the Islanders, scoring 70 points (10G / 60A) in 79 games.
Dobson did not play the last three games of the season for the Islanders but was at practice on Friday, an encouraging sign that he could be ready for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 24-year-old Dobson had a tremendous season for the Islanders, scoring 70 points (10G / 60A) in 79 games.
With the conclusion of the season for the Blues, Bolduc has been reassigned to the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL). The 21-year-old Bolduc split time between the Blues and Thunderbirds this season, scoring nine points (5G / 4A) in 25 games at the NHL level.
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.
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.
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.
The Canadiens have lost five of their last six and will turn to Montembeault in the crease on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. Montembeault has allowed three or fewer goals in five of his last six games (3-2-1) and played well in his most recent outing but was unvictorious, allowing three goals on 31 shots (.903 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Islanders. The Canadiens enter action +180 road underdogs.
Hutson was the 62nd overall pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old scored 49 points (15G / 34A) in 2023-24 playing collegiate hockey with Boston University.
