Montreal Canadiens Must Do More Than Lock Up Their Core
It's hard not to be optimistic about the future of the Montreal Canadiens.
They have a number of young difference-makers at every position, which gives them plenty of flexibility to continue to rise up the standings in the Eastern Conference. That makes it a little puzzling that they haven't done very much this summer.
They made a few minor-league deals and a pair of nice contracts that will keep some very good young players - goalie Jakub Dobes and Ivan Demidov - in town for years to come. They also ate some salary to send veteran Brendan Gallagher to Vancouver. But that's it.
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Florida will no doubt improve, Tampa and Boston still have elite goaltending, Buffalo has a clear interest in - and perhaps an inside track on - Connor Hellebuyck, Ottawa might still be in the mix, Toronto could improve (not that you should hold your breath), and it feels like the Islanders or Capitals should take a step back toward playoff contention. So, suddenly, the playoff path isn't quite the wide avenue it was last season.
Adding some talent to the top six, like Elias Pettersson or Anthony Mantha, helps raise the floor for this team, which, thankfully, is their goal.
It is clear from GM Ken Hughes' public comments that he understands he can't be done quite yet. But the longer he waits to get the help he knows he needs, the louder the questions get about the team's next steps.
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This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 11:17 AM.