With training camps getting closer, a few familiar names are still sitting on the NHL free agent market, and the Canadiens could still have options if Kent Hughes wants to keep exploring.
The biggest name left is Patrick Kane. The 37-year-old right winger is still unsigned, and his next stop remains one of the more interesting questions on the board. Recent rumors tied him to the Buffalo Sabres, his hometown team, while Connor Bedard has also said he would like to see Kane back in Chicago, where he made his name.
Another veteran who could draw attention is Vladimir Tarasenko. The 34-year-old winger put up 23 goals and 47 points last season with the Minnesota Wild, doing it in a secondary role. That kind of production keeps him in the conversation as teams look for scoring help.
Patrik Laine is also still available, and his situation is especially relevant for Montreal. He played just five games with the Canadiens last season, and while his shot remains one of the most dangerous in the league, his five-on-five struggles seem to be making teams hesitate.
Eeli Tolvanen is another forward worth monitoring. At 27, he has shown he can finish when he gets offensive chances, which makes him a possible fit for clubs looking for low-cost depth with some upside.
There are also a couple of other names on the market who could attract interest. John Klingberg, 33, scored 10 goals in 56 games with the San Jose Sharks last season and can still help on the power play, even if injuries have slowed him down in recent years. Connor Ingram is another player to watch after the 29-year-old goaltender posted 16 wins in 32 games with the Oilers and a save percentage just under .900.
And the list does not stop there. Michael Bunting, David Perron, Evander Kane, Nick Blankenburg, Carson Soucy, Pavol Regenda, and Logan Stanley are all still available as well.
In Other News...
John Marinos 8-Year Utah Deal Just Fueled Canadiens Blue Line Debate
John Marinos new eight-year extension in Utah adds another data point to the ongoing blue-line salary conversation around Montreal. At $6.75 million per season, the deal sits in the same neighborhood as several Canadiens defensemen and helps frame how different teams are valuing role, production and upside on the back end. Marinos contract also removes one more notable name from next summers unrestricted free agent market, narrowing the pool for clubs still looking for help on defense.
For Montreal, the comparison is especially useful because Kent Hughes has assembled a defense corps with a wide range of price points and responsibilities. Kaiden Guhle, Mike Matheson, Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson all occupy different tiers, and Marinos number only sharpens the debate over where the sweet spot really is for roster construction. It is the kind of contract that can make a teams own blue line look either disciplined or expensive, depending on how much value it gets from each role. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Add A Young Forward Who Could Climb Faster Than Expected
The Laval Rocket have added another young forward to their pipeline, giving a 23-year-old left winger a fresh chance to push his way into the American Hockey League picture. The move fits the kind of low-risk, upside-minded depth signing that can matter for a Canadiens organization always looking for players who can grow into larger roles if their development keeps moving in the right direction.
He already has a bit of familiarity with the Rocket after appearing in three games with the club last season, and his path has taken him through the QMJHL and ECHL before this latest step. A one-year two-way deal for the 2026-27 season gives him a clear runway to try to establish himself in Laval, with the next stretch of his career likely to determine how quickly he can climb from organizational depth to something more. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens May Finally Have A Real Answer At Center
The Canadiens have spent plenty of time looking for help down the middle, and the search keeps circling back to the same basic need: a center who can stabilize the second line without forcing the front office into a reckless overpay. Morgan Frost has emerged as an intriguing name in that conversation, with his contract viewed as manageable and the acquisition price expected to stay within reason, which matters for a team trying to improve without emptying the cupboard.
Frosts profile also fits the kind of move Montreal has been exploring, since he brings recent production and enough offensive touch to at least make the idea worth serious discussion. The question now is whether the Canadiens can turn interest into something more concrete while they keep sorting out the long-term picture at center, including the possibility of waiting on Michael Hage as part of the bigger plan. [Read more 🡒]