A future NHL expansion draft is already forcing Montreal Canadiens fans to think several moves ahead, and David Ettedgui has put two names at the center of the conversation: David Reinbacher and Jacob Fowler.
The well-known player agent has been mapping out what the Canadiens’ protected list could look like if the league adds teams in 2029-30, with Houston or Austin as possible destinations. Nothing has been confirmed, but Ettedgui says there is plenty of smoke around the idea and that all signs point to it happening.
His protected group starts with the obvious pillars: Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Ivan Demidov. But once the limits of an expansion draft come into play, some tough choices would follow. Ettedgui points to Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Mike Matheson, David Reinbacher, and Jacob Fowler as names that could be left exposed.
The goaltending picture is part of what makes the exercise so interesting. He notes that the “battle” between Jakub Dobes and Fowler could be settled by then, at the latest in 2029 or 2030. In his view, the delay before that possible expansion draft would also shape who ends up as the Canadiens’ goalie of the future.
Here is how Ettedgui explained his thinking:
"In theory, David Reinbacher finds himself unprotected on this list because he will likely play full-time in the NHL by the end of the 2027 season, thus accumulating his three required pro experience years by 2029, which would force him to be protected and put him at risk behind our current top 3.... This three-year delay before that 2029-30 expansion draft will surely put an end to knowing who between Jacob Fowler or Jakub Dobes will be the Habs' true goaltender of the future."
For now, the expansion idea remains just that - an idea. But if it does become reality, Kent Hughes will have some serious planning to do.
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The tricky part is timing. Montreals center depth is getting more attention, and any decision on Danault could hinge on whether younger options are close enough to push for bigger minutes. Andersons case is different, but no less complicated, since his role has been tied closely to the penalty kill and his offensive ceiling in Montreal has remained a moving target as the team keeps trying to balance veteran reliability with the next wave of talent. [Read more 🡒]
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For Montreal, that means the next step may not come quickly, even if fans are already scanning for signs of action from Kent Hughes. Biringer suggested the Canadiens are likely to do something later in the offseason, but the timing could be the sort that catches people off guard. If the right player becomes available from a cap-strapped team, the fit could make sense, but for now the picture remains open and the waiting game continues. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Just Landed In A Scoring Debate Fans Know Well
The Canadiens keep showing up in the kind of trade chatter that usually follows a team with cap room and a growing need to turn promise into production. According to David Pagnotta, Anaheim is looking to move a veteran forward and is even willing to attach a second-round pick to the deal, which is the sort of extra incentive that can make a player with a pricey contract suddenly feel a lot more realistic for a club like Montreal.
For the Canadiens, the appeal is obvious enough. The player in question has a track record of putting the puck in the net, even if the recent numbers have been more modest than his peak years, and his deal runs only through next summer. Montreal has been mentioned as a possible fit because it can absorb money and because its recent progress makes this the kind of swing a front office at least has to consider, even if the final price tag is still the part everyone is waiting to see. [Read more 🡒]