Kent Hughes keeps finding ways to tilt the financial game in the Canadiens’ favor, and Juraj Slafkovsky’s contract is quickly joining the list of deals that look better by the day.
At $7.6 million per season through 2033, the big Slovak winger is no longer just a promising young piece. He’s turning into one of the NHL’s cleanest bargains, even if the attention has mostly gone elsewhere. Much of the buzz around Montreal’s future has centered on the deals for Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson, but Slafkovsky’s pact deserves the same kind of spotlight.
The logic behind the bargain is simple: Slafkovsky keeps getting better.
Every step forward makes the contract look a little more lopsided for the Canadiens, and his most recent season pushed that conversation into overdrive. In 82 games, No. 20 posted 30 goals and 43 assists for 73 points, while finishing at +9. That was before even factoring in his incredible performance at the 2026 Olympics.
It’s the kind of early commitment that can define a rebuild. Hughes identified the value before the price tag exploded, and Montreal is now reaping the benefit. If Slafkovsky were negotiating this summer or next, the number would almost certainly be much higher - probably in the $13 million to $14 million range annually.
That’s why this deal sits comfortably alongside the others. With Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidov, and Slafkovsky, Hughes continues to lock in the Canadiens’ core on team-friendly terms, and the long-term picture keeps looking brighter for Montreal.
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 🡒]