The Canadiens have locked in one of their newest blue-line additions, signing Maksymilian Szuber to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season.
It’s a move that lands as more confirmation than surprise. Montreal acquired Szuber from Utah on June 29 in a trade that sent forward Joshua Roy the other way, and the contract now officially puts the young defenseman in place heading into training camp.
Szuber brings a pretty hard-to-miss frame to the mix. The left-shot defenseman is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, and at 23 he already has the kind of size that stands out on the back end. He was born in Opole, Poland, and his route to this point has gone through a few different stops.
Arizona picked Szuber in the sixth round of the 2022 draft, and before arriving in North America he played in Germany. From there, he worked his way through the American Hockey League with the Tucson Roadrunners, where last season he put up 11 goals and 27 points in 65 games. That kind of production is the part of his game that makes him more than just a depth body.
The one-year, two-way structure also tells the story of where he stands right now. Montreal can use him in either the NHL or with Laval, depending on what the organization needs, but nothing is handed to him at camp. Szuber will have to earn his spot.
That won’t be simple. The Canadiens have plenty of defensemen in the mix, and the competition for jobs is going to be tight once camp gets going.
There is, however, one wrinkle that could work in his favor. Szuber is expected to need waivers before he can be assigned to Laval, which adds a layer of risk for the Canadiens if they try to sneak him through. That possibility could make it harder for management to move him out of Montreal if he looks ready to stick.
In Other News...
Michael Hage's Canadiens Timeline Suddenly Feels Far Less Certain
Michael Hage had been lining up for a third season at the University of Michigan, with the idea of staying in college to keep developing his game while also getting a chance to skate alongside his brother Alexander. It was a pretty tidy plan for the Canadiens prospect, one that fit the usual patient path Montreal has encouraged with some of its young players.
Now, though, the family timeline has shifted. Alexander is expected to spend another season in the OHL with the Niagara IceDogs rather than head to Michigan, and that could change the calculus for Michael as he weighs whether to keep his NCAA route intact or move closer to the professional game. No decision has been reported yet, but the situation has suddenly made his next step a lot less predictable for Montreal. [Read more 🡒]
Flames Blue Line Picture Just Changed With One Target Now Fading
Arber Xhekajs offseason has settled into a waiting game, with the Canadiens defenseman still unsigned as a restricted free agent. The situation has had a little extra texture because Xhekaj reportedly turned down Montreals qualifying offer and did not file for arbitration, leaving both sides with more room to work toward a deal before camp opens. His agent has said there is no panic and expressed optimism that a contract can still be finished in time.
The backdrop changed a bit on the Flames side, too, after Calgary landed Jake Middleton and reportedly cooled its pursuit of Xhekaj. For Montreal, that removes one more bit of outside noise from a negotiation that has already stretched through the summer, though the real question is still the same one the Canadiens have been facing: how quickly can they lock up a young defenseman who remains part of their long-term picture? [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Could Make 3 Early Moves Before Prices Climb
Kent Hughes has shown a willingness to get ahead of the market, and the Canadiens may have a few more contract decisions to make before those choices get expensive. Montreal is looking at players who could fit into the clubs long-term plans, and the logic is straightforward: if the front office believes a piece belongs in the picture, waiting until the end of the deal can mean paying a higher price later.
The appeal of acting early is obvious with players whose value could rise over the next couple of seasons, but there is also some risk in trying to settle everything too soon. Montreal has to weigh present-day production against future role, and the next round of negotiations could say plenty about how Hughes sees the roster taking shape beyond the 2026-27 season. [Read more 🡒]