dlbalr

Noel Hoefenmayer has signed a one-year deal with HK Sochi of the KHL so, as expected, he won't be back in Laval.

It depends on what they would move to get him. If it's a heavy futures-based package like the Dobson deal, then yes, it could be rushing things. But if it's more of a player-player swap (Matheson with some futures), it's not quite the same. Kyrou has six years left on his deal too, something that wasn't the case with DeBrincat (four) and Chychrun (three). In theory, if you're adding a guy for that long, it's not just for the present but for the future as well. Honestly, I think the six years left might be what makes Montreal the most interested, getting players locked in at old-market rates before the rapid increase to the cap really drives prices up.

Another goalie signing, this time it's Benjamin Gaudreau. If the name sounds familiar, he was the backup for Canada at the World Juniors in 2023. https://www.rocketlaval.com/en/press-release/benjamin-gaudreau-contract-2025-2026/

Not necessarily dead but it might become the feeder league to the NCAA. Go play there until you're out of high school and then see what's out there. And there will still be those who prefer to play the 'closer-to-pro' schedule to prepare for the NHL. But with there being rumblings that some 19-year-old CHL players could play in the AHL in the new CBA, the CHL is going to become more of a league for 16 to 18-year-olds rather than 16 to 20.

Correct. To get an incentive-based contract, the player must either be 35 or a 400-game NHL veteran who missed 100+ days due to injury the previous year. Kuznetsov is 33 and played in the KHL last season so he doesn't meet either criteria.

There's a disclaimer in there that says the order is based on betting lines so whichever betting site they pulled that from is to blame.

When it comes to Hage, they may not think he's NHL-ready but sign him anyway at the end of the year. That way, they know he's in their system and then the question will be can they do like Fowler and get him to take the ATO in Laval to start or do like they've had to do with some others and burn the first year right away? In an ideal world, I think Montreal's preference would be to have him in the pros in 26-27.

He's been connected to the Leafs and is willing to wait to let them try to open up cap space. Considering it was suggested that the Habs felt they couldn't afford to keep Armia at 2.5, I don't think they're a feasible landing spot for Roslovic now who's likely to get more than that.

Today is the deadline to file for salary arbitration and the Habs have two players eligible - Struble and Dobes. The full list hasn't been announced yet (the deadline is at the top of the hour) but it sounds like Struble on the list of those who have filed.

Laval signs winger Xavier Simoneau, defencemen Josh Jacobs and Darick Louis-Jean, and goalie Hunter Jones to AHL deals. One-way for Simoneau/Jacobs, two-way for the other two who are probably ECHL-bound. Jacobs is interesting as that's the last veteran slot unless the plan is to have Arseneau primarily as a reserve/scratch.

They play different positions though. Tuch is a winger, Xhekaj a centre. In a perfect world, they might want a jumbo fourth line with some skill and some PK acumen so they're not necessarily in competition for a spot; they can both be in the plans.

Prominent player, no arbitration rights so the only leverage is to delay. Contracts for players like him usually get settled in mid September when training camp approaches.

I didn't have much interest in him. He's an even-strength-only player and there isn't a spot for someone like that unless that player is bringing an element the rest of the lineup doesn't have. Beauvillier doesn't have that.

Make it 19 as Mark Estapa has signed a one-year, two-way AHL deal. https://www.rocketlaval.com/en/press-release/mark-estapa-contract-2025-26/ In reality, several of these forwards are clearly ECHL-bound - Estapa, Mianscum, Goriunov, probably Dunlap and maybe Dineen. Frankly, they need another impactful forward or two as this group has taken a pretty hard hit in terms of departures with not a lot done to offset them beyond bringing back Belzile.

It was that plus that he felt he was better than Saku at the same stage of their careers. https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/aatos_koivu_i_think_im_a_better_player_than_my_father_saku_was_at_the_same_age/s1_17387_40893408

It's probably going to be Price plus pick/prospect for future considerations. You could maybe make a case to San Jose to take Grundstrom ($1.8M salary) if the Sharks think he could get pushed out of a roster spot and be stuck paying $1.8M for a minor leaguer. With the bulk of Price's salary covered by insurance, the Habs could spin that as a way for the Sharks to save money.

From McKeen's Best Value Picks: Carlos Händel, D — Montreal Canadiens, 177th overall McKeen's Hockey Final Ranking: 67th Overall Händel is a very interesting case study. At his best, the young German defender is a highly dynamic offensive threat who can make highlight-reel plays with the puck. The problem is that those kinds of outbursts don’t happen consistently, while his defending without the puck needs some serious work. Luckily for him, however, the Canadiens seem like the perfect organization for appreciating his upside and getting the most out of his development, which they will be able to pursue steadily and carefully.

That puts a small dent in my hopes that they'd be the team to take Price's contract. Not that they can't do it still but it won't be a necessity now for them to reach the floor.

With Winnipeg signing Nyquist, I wonder if they think they might be out. I'd add Washington to the mix for Ehlers as well.

I don't know off-hand who their other goalie is but generally, teams don't like to waste an import slot on a backup goalie.

Arseni Radkov was drafted by Blainville-Boisbriand in the QMJHL. He's committed to go to college but for 2026-27 so he could play a season in junior first.

As it stands now, probably. But he'd still work as an NHL recall when injuries strike. Or, if they wind up dealing someone like Struble over the summer, Del Gaizo would make sense as a 7th D.

That's not half bad, actually. I thought he'd get 4-plus with term; two years isn't unmanageable if he reverts back to being his usual self.

Del Gaizo is a nice pickup and it wouldn't be shocking to see him get some NHL time. Laval has also signed Ryan O'Rourke as they continue to completely overhaul their back end: https://www.rocketlaval.com/en/press-release/rocket-contract-ryan-orourke-2025-26/ Meanwhile, Zack Hayes has signed with Milwaukee.

Luke Cavallin won't be back as he got an entry-level deal with Boston. Good for him; I didn't think he'd get an NHL pact.