The Montreal Canadiens have put the Reilly Walsh file to bed.
After a few days of speculation, the club confirmed it has agreed to terms with the 27-year-old defenseman on a one-year, two-way contract. The announcement came through the Canadiens’ own social media channels, with the team stating: "The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with defenseman Reilly Walsh."
Walsh is coming off a strong season in the KHL, where he finished as the fourth-highest scoring defenseman in 2025-26. That production helped make him an intriguing add for Montreal, even if the most immediate impact may be felt elsewhere in the organization.
Because the deal is two-way, Walsh can move between the NHL and the American Hockey League. That makes him eligible for time with both the Canadiens and the Laval Rocket, and many believe Laval stands to gain the most from the signing.
Still, Walsh arrives with a résumé that gives him a real shot to push for more. He has AHL experience, and he brings that along with the momentum of a productive year overseas.
His own target, though, is clear: he’ll try to force his way onto the Canadiens’ NHL roster and challenge a player like Jayden Struble for a spot to start the season. That battle will begin at training camp, where Walsh will need to make a strong impression to open the door to the big club.
It’s not the flashiest move, but it’s the kind of depth signing that can matter. Teams with staying power are built on additions like this.
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Canadiens Fans Just Got Another Reason To Love Lane Hutson's Deal
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Hutsons value only looks better against that backdrop. His production has already separated him from Mintyukovs, and the contract gap feels even wider when the market is pushing upward around them. For the Canadiens, it is the kind of development that makes an already favorable deal look even sharper, even if the broader defenseman market is still leaving plenty of room for more expensive decisions elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]