Here are the Montreal Canadiens and NHL news items you may have missed on Monday.
Montreal Canadiens News
- Noah Dobson’s first season with the Canadiens went reasonably well, but the defenceman he can still provide more value on a nightly basis. His underlying numbers, in particular, were quite poor, though some of that has to do with the pairing, which featured Dobson and Mike Matheson, two offensively inclined blueliners. [Improving Noah Dobson’s Value To The Canadiens]
- While there’s no doubt Ivan Demidov produced a very encouraging rookie season, his ice time with Oliver Kapanen yielded some concerning numbers. On the flip side of the coin, they controlled the goals, which is the most important statistic. Regardless, the Habs have to find a solution to the second line issues, and they’ll once again have to look internally. [Demidov Conundrum: Canadiens Options For The Second Line]
- Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc are yet to sign contract extensions, but according to Eric Engels, the problem should be resolved relatively soon. [Sportsnet]
In what has turned out to be a fairly quiet off-season, chatter around Mike Matheson, Zachary Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj is flowing around the Canadiens these days, writes @EricEngels. https://t.co/mGf9yV6SRy
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 31, 2026
- Hockey is just around the corner! The proof being that many of the big names on the team have already made their way to Brossard for practice, including Cole Caufield on Monday.
🔵⚪️🔴 Les joueurs des Canadiens commencent à revenir à Montréal en vue de la saison qui s'amorce dans moins d'un mois. #gohabsgo🔵⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/D4v1JGTORK
— DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) August 31, 2026
- There was also a second group in Brossard, featuring some of the young players who will attempt to earn a spot at training camp, including Owen Beck, Florian Xhekaj, Adam Engstrom, and David Reinbacher.
Un deuxième groupe, composé notamment de Florian Xhekaj, Owen Beck, David Reinbacher et Adam Engström, s’entraîne sous la supervision de Paul Byron.@DLCoulisses#GoHabsGo#Xhekaj#Reinbacher#Engstrompic.twitter.com/xQXd8LvSsE
— Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) August 31, 2026
- ICYMI: Canadiens fans established the top 20 prospects in the organization, by way of a vote. Make sure to check out the final rankings, and let us know how the community did in this year’s edition of the top 20 Montreal Canadiens prospects. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospect Rankings – The Final List]
Sportsnaut Network
- As the Carolina Hurricanes’ hockey season draws ever closer, one roster problem persists in Alexander Nikishin – the rookie defenceman turned Stanley Cup champion in his first full season with the team. Thanks to the astronomical contract given to Cale Makar by the Colorado Avalanche, the defencemen market – which has historically been underpaid – has now faced a polarizing reset that will undoubtedly carry over to other teams. [Carolina Hurricanes]
- Matias Vanhanen was passed over in the 2025 NHL Draft. A year later the New Jersey Devils took him 37th overall. It’s the gap that tells the whole story. [New Jersey Devils]
- This has been a summer of gigantic contracts handed out in the NHL, with one player after another getting the designation of the league’s highest-paid player. Where does that put the Florida Panthers? [Florida Panthers]
Related Headlines
- Improving Dobson’s Value To The Canadiens
- Jonathan Kuminga’s Agent Already Has an Exit Plan Days After Joining the Timberwolves
- 8 Minnesota Vikings Edge Rusher Targets After Setting Roster
Read more at Sportsnaut