The Montreal Canadiens, after a surprisingly successful 2024-25 season that saw them return to the playoffs earlier than expected, might have already completed their major offseason moves. General Manager Kent Hughes entered the summer with several key objectives: improve the defense, add scoring depth, maintain long-term flexibility, and continue developing from within.

Key Acquisition: Noah Dobson

The Canadiens made a significant splash by acquiring Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. In exchange, the Canadiens sent their two 2025 first-round picks (16th and 17th overall) and forward Emil Heineman to the Islanders. Hughes had been actively seeking a right-handed, top-pairing defenseman with size, mobility, and offensive skill, and Dobson, at 25 years old, fits the bill. He is coming off a strong season and is entering his prime. Hughes signed Dobson to an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $9.5 million. While not a cheap deal, it's considered fair market value for a number-one defenseman with upside. Dobson's addition provides the Canadiens with instant credibility on the blue line.

With Dobson joining the ranks alongside Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle, and David Reinbacher, the Canadiens now boast one of the most promising young defensive cores in the NHL.

Trade for Zachary Bolduc

In another calculated move, the Canadiens traded Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for Zachary Bolduc. This trade addresses organizational fit and positional needs.

Draft and Free Agency

Despite trading away their two first-round picks, the Canadiens still found promising talent on Day 2 of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Alexander Zharovsky, a dynamic and creative forward, was selected 34th overall, while LJ Mooney, an undersized but highly skilled forward, was taken in the fourth round.

Hughes took a low-key approach to free agency, focusing on adding depth without overspending. Samuel Blais was signed to bring size, energy, and physicality to the bottom six, while Kaapo Kähkönen was brought in on a one-year deal to provide veteran competition in goal. Kähkönen will compete with Jakub Dobes for the backup role behind Samuel Montembeault. The Canadiens also re-signed Dobes to a two-year deal.

Remaining Tasks

While the Canadiens have addressed some key areas, some tasks remain. The team needs to sign Jakub Dobes to a contract extension (or find another goalie) to back up Samuel Montembeault. They also need to complete deals for restricted free agents Emil Heineman and Jayden Struble.

The Canadiens have approximately $6 million in cap space, which should be sufficient to cover those contracts. However, the team will need to be mindful of Lane Hutson's upcoming contract extension, as he is expected to command a significant raise in the future.

Overall, the Canadiens have had a productive offseason, addressing key needs and adding promising talent to their roster. With a strong core of young players and a few strategic additions, the Canadiens appear to be well-positioned for continued growth and success in the upcoming season.