The Canadiens are keeping Michael Hage out of every conversation that matters.
That’s the word from NHL insider Frank Seravalli, who said Montreal has no interest in dangling its top prospect even as the club continues to poke around the trade market. The Habs have already shown they’re willing to be active early this season, including using Hage’s name as part of their pitch to the Detroit Red Wings in their push for Dylan Larkin. But according to Seravalli, that doesn’t mean Hage is actually in play.
“Here’s the thing: the start of the season from some of their young players has the Canadiens internally weighing how aggressive they want to be on the trade market. To be clear, Hage is unavailable," wrote Seravalli.
He made the position even clearer in the same notebook.
"He is a non-starter. But as the Canadiens navigate these next few months they have to consider how they see Engstrom, David Reinbacher and maybe Mittelstadt fitting into their plans.”
So while Hage’s name has been floating through mock trade packages tied to Larkin, Montreal’s stance is firm: the prospect is not for sale. Larkin, for his part, still has not listed the Canadiens among his approved destinations.
On the ice, Montreal gave its fans another reason to pay attention on Sunday, beating the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.
Jacob Fowler was the difference-maker in goal, turning aside 33 shots.
“I think last year I got a good taste of it and I was really fortunate for this group to welcome me in,” Fowler said of the 17 games he played last season. “I just had a lot of belief in this group that if I can just give our team a chance, we have a lot of skill in this team and we can put a few goals in the net.”
After a scoreless first period, the Canadiens broke through in the second. Lane Hutson opened the scoring at 7:19, and Kaiden Guhle added another at 11:04 to push Montreal ahead 2-0.
Winnipeg finally answered when Isak Rosen scored at 15:24 of the third period, trimming the lead to one, but Montreal closed it out from there and skated away with the win.
In Other News...
Nick Suzukis Absence Suddenly Looks Bigger Than Canadiens Fans Hoped
Nick Suzukis absence is starting to feel more substantial for the Canadiens than it did at first glance, even as the team has kept winning without its captain. Suzuki is sidelined with an upper-body injury and will head back to Montreal after the Heritage Classic rather than stay with the club on the road trip, where he has been working through recovery with the teams medical staff.
The short-term good news is that Montreal has found a way to keep stacking results without him, but the bigger picture around Suzuki is less clear. He is expected to be out for a stretch, and there is at least some concern that he may not have been fully healthy even before this latest setback, which makes his status one of the more important things to watch once the Canadiens return home. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Face A Painful Goalie Decision As Montembeault Nears Return
Samuel Montembeaults return is getting closer, and for the Canadiens that means the calendar is starting to squeeze a goaltending picture that was already crowded. Jacob Fowler has taken over as the primary option in net, while the organization has tried to manage its depth with Montembeault and Jakub Dobes both still on the roster.
The complication is that Montreal cannot simply shuffle its way out of the problem. Montembeault and Dobes would have to clear waivers to go to Laval, and with Montembeaults contract set to expire next summer, the front office is staring at a decision that could shape both the present and the near future. Recent signings around the league may also make the trade market less straightforward than it looked a few weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Suddenly Have A Cheap Forward Option Worth Watching
The Canadiens have been hunting for forward help as injuries continue to press on the roster, and one name now floating into the conversation is a young winger with a profile that fits Montreals search for upside without a massive price tag. Elliotte Friedman reported that the recent Egor Chinakhov trade could be used as a reference point for a possible deal involving a Washington forward who has already shown encouraging signs in both the American Hockey League and the NHL.
What makes the situation interesting for Montreal is the kind of return that may be required. The market appears to be pointing toward draft-pick territory rather than a major prospect haul, which is exactly the sort of move that could appeal to a team trying to patch a roster hole without sacrificing its long-term flexibility. For now, no trade has been completed, but the Canadiens are at least in the range of a deal that could bring in another affordable option up front. [Read more 🡒]