The Laval Rocket have turned a single position into a full-on reset, adding three goaltenders and a defenseman as the Montreal Canadiens organization continues reshaping its depth chart.
Among the new faces, two Quebec-born netminders jump off the page. Francesco Lapenna, a Laval native, is heading back home after a brief run with the Trois-Rivières Lions and has landed a contract with the Rocket. The 23-year-old made the most of that stop, putting up a 1.33 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage in six games.
Kevin Mandolese is the other local name in the mix. The 25-year-old from Blainville had a winding season last year, splitting time between three clubs and even spending time in Europe. Of his 14 games, 12 came with HKM Zvolen in Slovakia.
The third goalie added is Hunter Jones, an Ontario native who was strong in Trois-Rivières. In 30 games, the 25-year-old posted a 2.36 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
The Rocket’s goaltending overhaul also includes Kaapo Kahkonen, whose signing was reported earlier.
The thinking is clear: carrying three goalies in reserve gives the club a buffer against injuries and call-ups.
And it wasn’t just the crease that got attention. Laval also added some size on the back end with Braden Haché, a 6-foot-4 left-shot defenseman, signing a two-year contract. The 23-year-old comes over from the San Jose Barracuda after producing 11 points in 72 games last season.
In Other News...
Canadiens New Defense Prospect Is Already Raising Eyebrows Inside The Organization
Timofei Runtso arrived in Montreal with the kind of profile that can make a draft room lean in a little closer. Taken 57th overall by the Canadiens, the defense prospect has already started settling into the organizations Russian pipeline, a useful early step for any young player trying to find his footing in a new market. He also comes with a clear sense of identity on the ice, with a style he wants to model after one of the more recognizable names to wear that position in recent years.
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
Brendan Gallaghers exit has left more than a roster spot behind in Montreal. Josh Anderson, whose own game has long been built on the same kind of straight-ahead competitiveness, made clear how much Gallagher meant to the Canadiens and to the city, praising the edge and persistence that defined his teammates time here. For a team that has leaned on veteran voices as much as on production, the loss of a player like Gallagher is felt in the room as much as on the ice.
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 🡒]