Marc Dumont
Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Friday.
Montreal Canadiens News
The Canadiens made a trade implicating three minor-league players on Friday afternoon, and while none of the players included will feature in an NHL game this year, the fact that Montreal acquired an AHL goaltender is clear-cut sign that Jacob Fowler is not heading back to the Laval Rocket any time soon. It’s the ultimate vote of confidence in the young netminder. [Canadiens Make Minor League Trade With Major Implications]
While most of the attention has been sent Fowler’s way, it’s impossible to forget he’s essentially replacing veteran netminder Samuel Montembeault. Despite this, Montembeault has been nothing short of excellent when it comes to supporting his goaltending counterparts in Montreal.
Samuel Montembeault semble avoir une excellente attitude et encourage beaucoup Jacob Fowler. Les deux gardiens prennent souvent le temps de discuter ensemble.@DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #Montembeault #Fowler #NHL pic.twitter.com/v9Utkuer2R
— Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) March 13, 2026
The Habs are scoring more often, and much of the credit must be given to the team’s top forwards, however, the increased production has mostly come on the powerplay, and there’s no doubt both Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson have been a godsend in that regard. [Canadiens Analysis: Evaluating Montreal’s Improved Production]
In other news, seventh-round pick Luke Mittelstadt was signed to an entry-level contract, putting an end to his four-year tenure with the University of Minnesota (NCAA). Mittelstadt served as one of the Gophers’ captains this season, earning three goals and 19 assists in 36 games, the highest output of his NCAA career.
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a two-year, entry-level contract (2026-27 to 2027-28) with defenseman Luke Mittelstadt.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 13, 2026
News release ↓ #GoHabsGohttps://t.co/xC5g3LKoy8
Even though Alexander Texier has done great things in his limited ice time with the Habs, including scoring a crucial goal versus the Senators while replacing Cole Caufield, it does not appear he will be in uniform on Saturday as the Habs face the San Jose Sharks. Texier practiced alongside the third line, as an extra, while Patrik Laine took some rushes on the second, and Joe Veleno was the odd-man out on the fourth line. [Canadiens Analysis: Texier Impact Impossible To Ignore]
Les trios et duos à l’entraînement:
— Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) March 13, 2026
Slafkovsky-Suzuki-Caufield
Demidov-Kapanen-Newhook/Laine
Gallagher-Danault-Anderson/Texier
Dach-Evans-Bolduc/Veleno
Dobson-Matheson
Hutson-Guhle
Carrier-Xhekaj/Struble
Dobes
Fowler
Montembeault @DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #Caufield #Demidov… pic.twitter.com/4y3I7u0ekS
Sportsnaut Network
Fuelled by a six-game winning streak, the Montreal Victoire pulled within two-points of the first-place Boston Fleet in the PWHL standings. Near the playoff cut line, just two points separate the fourth, fifth, and sixth-place teams. The expansion Vancouver Goldeneyes and Torrent could join that race with a late-season run, though each must heat up soon.[PWHL]
In what felt like a miracle, Filip Hronek scored with 1:01 left in regulation, and Jake DeBrusk buried the only goal of the shootout. Considering the Canucks trailed 3-1 in the third, it’s quite a surprise to report that Vancouver beat the Nashville Predators. [Vancouver Canucks]
The status of Auston Matthews is in the hands of the doctors. The status of Radko Gudas after his glaringly dirty knee-on-knee hit on the Toronto Maple Leafs captain is in the hands of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. But what isn’t up in the air is the response—or rather, the complete lack of it—that Matthews’ teammates had to seeing their best player laid out on the ice in pain. [Toronto Maple Leafs]
