The Canadiens wasted no time on July 1, bringing back a familiar face by signing veteran forward Alex Belzile.
The Quebec native is staying in his home province on a one-year, two-way deal worth $850,000. Renaud Lavoie was first to report the terms, later confirming: "Alex Belzile, one year at $850,000, two-way contract."
For Montreal, the move looks less like a depth add and more like a very specific plan for Laval. Belzile is expected to take on a leadership role with the Rocket during the 2026-27 season, serving as a steadying presence for the club’s younger players.
That assignment makes plenty of sense based on what he did last season. Belzile put up 62 points in 66 games with Laval, production that makes him much more than a plug-in veteran. In the AHL, that kind of output matters, especially when it comes with experience and credibility in the room.
His NHL track record is far smaller. Belzile has appeared in 44 career NHL games, and all of them came with the Canadiens. He has not played in the league since 2023.
Between 2023 and 2025, he spent time in the New York Rangers organization before returning to Montreal’s system last season, though he did not dress for the Canadiens. That same setup appears likely again this year.
For now, Belzile looks set to be the kind of veteran who helps shape the next wave in Laval. Whether a late-season call-up opens the door to another shot in Montreal is still to be determined, but at 34, every chance at the NHL level carries real weight.
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Canadiens New Defense Prospect Is Already Raising Eyebrows Inside The Organization
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For Montreal, that matters because Runtso is not just another late-round flyer hoping to blend in and wait his turn. He has a background in the NAHL and has already shown he can adapt to a different level and a different environment, which is part of what makes him intriguing inside the organization. The next question is how quickly that comfort off the ice turns into traction on it, especially as he begins building relationships with teammates and carving out his place in a crowded development picture. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Anderson Honors Brendan Gallagher As Canadiens Lose A True Heartbeat
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Andersons comments also land at a moment when Montreal is sorting out its next layer of leadership. With Gallagher gone, the Canadiens may need to look within for another alternate captain alongside Nick Suzuki, and Anderson is at least part of that conversation by reputation and presence. He is one of the players who can speak to what Gallagher brought every night, which is why his tribute carried extra weight for a locker room trying to absorb a familiar heartbeat being taken away. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Linked To A Veteran Winger Fans Will Instantly Debate
A veteran winger is already popping up in early offseason chatter around Montreal, and the appeal is easy to understand. Marc-Olivier Beaudoin floated the idea of a low-risk addition for the 2026 summer, pointing to a player with size, proven scoring touch and enough experience to help stabilize a young forward group without forcing the Canadiens into a long commitment.
The discussion gets more interesting because of the potential fit with Ivan Demidov, a pairing that would give Montreal a mix of youth and polish on the wing. Beaudoin framed it as the kind of short-term move that could make sense if the price stays reasonable, but for now it remains nothing more than speculation, the sort of idea that will draw plenty of debate long before the Canadiens have to make any real decision. [Read more 🡒]