Canadiens News & Notes: Contracts, Centre Targets & More

An unexpected, thrilling run to the Eastern Conference Final has officially accelerated the timeline in Montreal, transforming the Canadiens from patient rebuilders into aggressive offseason predators. Following their recent locker cleanout day, general manager (GM) Kent Hughes faces a pivotal summer defined by a changing of the guard. The emotional, imminent departure of 14-year veteran Brendan Gallagher signals a clear youth movement as management aggressively scours the trade market for a high-impact centre to cement their top-six forward group.

Meanwhile, the future of the franchise is taking centre stage at the negotiating table, where the front office is working quickly to lock in rookie sensation Ivan Demidov to a massive, long-term contract extension. Armed with elite young talent and significant financial flexibility, Montreal enters the thick of the offseason poised to transform their roster from a surprise playoff contender into a perennial Stanley Cup threat.

Canadiens Award Winning Season

Fresh off career seasons, Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki (101 points) and star winger Cole Caufield (51 goals) were rewarded for their efforts with significant awards. They were officially announced on Friday as the winners of the Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, respectively.

Each was a first-time winner. Suzuki captured the Selke after being voted the league’s top defensive forward in a landslide. Thanks to his strong defence and a massive 36-point lead over his competitors, he was the heavy favourite to win the Selke Trophy. Suzuki won with 1,726 points. Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning took second place with 467 points, and Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche finished third with 406 points.

Conversely, Caufield entered the Lady Byng race as a distinct underdog. He faced stiff competition from Ottawa Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson and Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar, a three-time winner who retired at the end of the season.

Despite the odds, Caufield came away with the award with 776 points. Kopitar secured second place with 602 points, while Sanderson finished a close third with 585 points. His 51-goal season, coupled with only 14 penalty minutes, earned him the nod. The Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) decided both awards.

Contract Negotiations Begin

Reports indicate the Canadiens and Demidov share mutual interest in a long-term contract extension, with Demidov jokingly telling the media at the end of season media availability that he wants his agent to “just do his job.”  The feeling seems to be mutual from management’s point of view.

The Hockey Writers looked into contract comparables and, using salary cap percentages for each, found a price range that would actually fall below $10 million. Creating a highly realistic projection of an eight-year contract carrying an average annual value (AAV) between $8.5 million and $9.8 million. This range would officially crown Demidov as the highest-paid forward on the roster and cement his position as a premium core piece.

Additionally, talk is heating up that the team is preparing a four-year contract offer for 23-year-old forward Zachary Bolduc. In 78 games with Montreal this season, he recorded 30 points, six fewer than his previous season with the St. Louis Blues. While he did have an up-and-down regular season, he found his identity in the playoffs, and management loved what they saw.

While reports are that negotiations haven’t yet begun, this is not unusual for a restricted free agent (RFA) who isn’t considered a franchise cornerstone like Demidov. The question is, what will Bolduc’s next deal look like? His impact during the playoffs, along with his potential ceiling, makes compelling arguments in his favour. But a bridge deal is a likely scenario.

Hage Untouchable So Far

Michael Hage is one of, if not the, Canadiens’ top prospect. The forward just had two strong seasons in the NCAA, and many people see him as a key part of Montreal’s future. The hope is to see him centre the second line in the near future; however, that will have to wait as he has chosen to return to the NCAA next season instead of making the jump to the pros.

It’s worth noting that Darren Dreger, who was a guest on TSN 690, discussed Hage’s situation. And according to what the insider has learned, the Canadiens weren’t interested in putting Hage on the table to acquire Robert Thomas.

Keeping an Eye At Centre

The front office is reportedly keeping tabs on captain Nico Hischier’s extension talks with the New Jersey Devils, standing ready to act as a prime landing spot if negotiations falter. Especially now, as Dylan Larkin has given the Detroit Red Wings permission to pursue trades with three clubs, and none are the Canadiens (from ‘Dylan Larkin’s list: The 3 places he wants to be traded by Red Wings,’ Detroit Free Press, June 8, 2026).

Management is even entertaining some novel ideas to fill the role at second line centre. In the French language journal La Presse, Mathias Brunet reports that the idea of moving Demidov to centre is on the table. According to Brunet, Montreal didn’t want to do this during Demidov’s first NHL season. It’s likely they didn’t want to overload him too much and wanted to let him settle into a wing role, where he’s spent much of his time in recent years. The young forward has mentioned in the past that he is comfortable playing at centre, and Hughes has said he is willing to experiment.

Evaluating his viability at centre is a major strategic pivot for the team, especially if Hughes’ main focus is to bring in a high-impact winger instead. You get the sense that moving Demidov to centre isn’t necessarily the organization’s Plan A, but if they can’t find their second-line centre, the fact that Demidov is a lefty would be a good fit in the top six, with Suzuki being a righty.

Zharovsky Joins Demidov

Canadiens prospect Alexander Zharovsky will spend 40 days in Montreal this summer with Demidov, getting to know the coaches, the city, and the system.

Despite building this direct bridge with Montreal, Zharovsky will not be joining the NHL immediately. He will return to Russia for one more season, with the forward confirming that he is staying with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) to fulfill the final year of his contract. His agent noted there is a 90% certainty that Zharovsky spends this single developmental year in Ufa’s top-six forward rotation under coach Viktor Kozlov before permanently making the jump to North America next season.

Goodbye Gally

Brendan Gallagher will be moving on after 14 seasons in Montreal, as the veteran forward emotionally announced that he will be leaving the organization this summer. The Canadiens have officially granted Gallagher permission to seek a trade, and the Vancouver Canucks have already emerged as a logical frontrunner to add his veteran presence.

According to Simon-Olivier Lorange, a deal could be concluded as early as this week. He is an ideal fit for the Canucks as he has hometown roots, living in Tsawwassen in the summer, having played his junior hockey in Vancouver, and the fact he brings the leadership and character they will need in their rebuild phase. Also, Gallagher is in the final year of his contract with a $6.5 million cap hit (though his actual salary is $4 million), and the Canucks have available cap space.

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