The Habs wasted little time getting a max-term extension done for Juraj Slafkovsky, signing him to an eight-year, $60.8 million deal on the first day he was eligible to sign. Was that the right move for the Habs or too much risk? Our writers offer up their thoughts.
Montreal’s lone UFA signing on July 1st largely went under the radar but Alex Barre-Boulet is an intriguing addition whose skill set could come in handy with the Canadiens, not just in Laval.
When news broke on Monday that Alex Burrows wouldn’t be back behind the bench in Montreal next season but would remain with the organization, some were wondering what his next role would be. It turns out it will be in player development as the Habs announced that he and Lauri Korpikoski have been added to that department.
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.
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 went into Friday with a dozen picks at their disposal. They’ve used three of them to move up as the team announced that they’ve traded picks 26, 57, and 198 to Los Angeles in exchange for the 21st selection.
Qualifying offers are due by Sunday and if pending restricted free agents don’t receive one by then, they’ll become unrestricted on Monday. That’s the route that Jesse Ylonen will be taking as Jeff Gorton confirmed today that the Canadiens will not tender him a qualifying offer this weekend.