Monday was the first day that players entering the final year of their contracts became extension-eligible. The Habs wasted little time getting a new deal done with Juraj Slafkovsky, inking the winger to an eight-year contract extension.
While the Habs haven’t been too busy as expected at the start of free agency, Laval has been quite busy. The team has announced the signings of seven players to one-year, one-way AHL agreements.
Montreal’s first signing in free agency is one that was of the depth variety. Multiple reports indicate that the Canadiens have signed winger Alex Barre-Boulet to a one-year, one-way contract worth the league minimum salary of $775,000.
The Habs now have a vacancy behind the bench to try to fill as Alex Burrows will not return as an assistant coach on Martin St. Louis’ staff next season.
Sunday afternoon was the deadline for teams to submit qualifying offers to their restricted free agents. Montreal had six of them but only elected to tender two of those players.
Montreal’s defensive logjam is well-known and on Sunday, they helped clear that up, announcing that they’ve traded Johnathan Kovacevic to New Jersey in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick.
The Habs enter the second day of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft with eight picks on hand. As is tradition, we’ll keep track of their moves here with scouting reports on their newest prospects.
Going into the draft lottery, many were hoping that if the Habs didn’t win the top pick, they’d at least get the second pick to get Ivan Demidov. They didn’t move up but they wound up with Demidov anyway as Montreal selected him with the fifth-overall pick on Friday night.
Earlier on Friday, the Habs parted with three draft picks to move up five spots to 21st overall. They weren’t able to move up any further but still landed a player they were targeting, selecting centre Michael Hage.
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft is almost upon us which means it’s time for our annual mock draft. As is tradition, we’ve picked the entire first round. In addition, we’ve also picked Montreal’s next three selections after the top round.