dlbalr

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.

I hope not. He's a mediocre fourth liner at best in Laval so I'm not sure why they would want to sign him to an NHL contract. Taking up a veteran spot, I don't see him being an every-game player for the Rocket either. If you want toughness in Montreal, there are better players than Arseneau to fill that role.

He'll fit in great on Laval then (if he gets there), they're great at racking up the misconduct penalties.

Technically, Suter is still unsigned so he could be in the mix. But again, he's not the type of player you think he is. And Blais is a better fit for how the Habs use their fourth liners (or, more likely, their 13th forward).

There goes Granlund - 3 years, $7M per to Anaheim, another team I didn't think would be chasing a centre. Columbus has announced they're signing a centre, but didn't specify who.

Lars Eller gets a one-year deal with Ottawa. I didn't have them as a team looking for extra centre depth.

Laval's site has a player tracker showing who's signed, who is a free agent, and who has left already. A decent summary so far of the state of the team: https://www.rocketlaval.com/en/press-release/portrait-of-the-rocket-lineup-2025-26/

Correct. It's well-known that several teams planned to take him in the second round.