The Montreal Canadiens defied expectations this season by securing a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, aided in part by underperforming rivals like the New York Rangers. The team ended the regular season holding onto the final Wild Card position, signaling progress in their ongoing rebuild.
Despite this achievement, the Canadiens face critical decisions regarding several players entering free agency. General manager Kent Hughes and his team must determine which players to retain and which to part ways with as they prepare for the upcoming offseason.
Montreal’s Key Players Approaching Free Agency
A strong core led by captain Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield performed well, supported by rookies Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson making significant impacts. However, the roster will not remain entirely intact due to several notable free agents expected to test the market starting in July.
Unrestricted Free Agents and Their Prospects
Among the Canadiens’ unrestricted free agents are Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, and Michael Pezzetta. Dvorak, a 29-year-old center, played a vital role late in the season centering a lower line with Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson. Although his offensive contributions were modest, Dvorak’s value as a left-handed faceoff specialist makes him a strong candidate for re-signing on a short-term, cost-effective contract.
In contrast, 31-year-old winger Joel Armia is unlikely to return due to inconsistent play, with younger talented wingers competing for roster spots. Similarly, Michael Pezzetta’s limited offensive output and lack of points in 25 games suggest his future with Montreal is doubtful, as the team may prefer to develop younger talent in his place.
“Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia are both UFAs.$4.45M and $3.4M off the books.Big question: do you re-sign either one? Dvorak = key left-handed faceoff specialist.Armia = heavy forechecker and PK stabilizer.Evans already locked in at $2.85M.” — Ivan Koivu, Analyst
Restricted Free Agents Await Contract Decisions
The Canadiens also have four important restricted free agents: Emil Heineman, Jayden Struble, Jakub Dobes, and Cayden Primeau. Heineman’s fast and direct style has likely earned him consideration for a bridge contract and a regular role next season.
Defenseman Jayden Struble showed promising reliability as a defender, making him a candidate for a short-term deal as he works to secure a stable place on the team’s bottom defensive lines.
Jakub Dobes emerged as a standout goaltender, stepping up notably during the playoff push while Sam Montembeault was sidelined, and is expected to fill the role of full-time NHL backup.
Cayden Primeau, however, faced a challenging season and was surpassed by Dobes. The Canadiens may choose to either not qualify him or explore trading his rights to another team.
Challenges Facing the Canadiens Going Forward
While the Canadiens’ unexpectedly strong season brought hope, it also exposed several weaknesses. Notably, there is a significant gap in the lineup due to the impending retirement of defenseman David Savard. The team also still lacks an experienced second-line center to complement Suzuki’s leadership.
With a wealth of draft picks and prospects, the Canadiens’ offseason strategy, including possible trades and free agent acquisitions, will be pivotal in determining their trajectory as they aim to build a competitive roster capable of making a deeper playoff run in the future.