Marc Dumont
Updated:
Here are the Montreal Canadiens and NHL news items you may have missed on Thursday.
Montreal Canadiens News
- The Habs will trade Brendan Gallagher, but the idea that they’ll have to pay an arm and a leg to move him is flawed. We evaluated his trade value, as well as a few potential NHL trade partners for the Canadiens. [Canadiens Analysis: NHL Trade Partners For Gallagher Deal]
- The Canadiens also gave Gallagher permission to enter into discussions with other teams, to potentially facilitate a move.
Brendan Gallagher’s agent Gerry Johansson has permission from Montreal to help facilitate a trade.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 4, 2026
- Our Montreal Canadiens player grades are underway, with newcomer Alexandre Texier leading the charge. When the Habs signed Texier, the expectations were quite low, given his recent history. Not only did he overdeliver, he actually produced better underlying numbers than Juraj Slafkovsky in his time with the first line. [Canadiens Player Grades: Texier Surprised With Excellent Value]
- Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki had nothing but great things to say about his rookie teammate, Ivan Demidov.
Habs captain Nick Suzuki on Ivan Demidov:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) June 4, 2026
“I think he’s definitely a team-first guy. He might’ve been one of the more pissed off guys when we lost (in the ECF), so he’s hungry. He wants it…” pic.twitter.com/q2IVEBWa63
- ICYMI: Technically, the Habs have plenty of time to sign Ivan Demidov to a contract extension. However, there’s a particular date that looms large when discussing his next deal. [Finding Comparable Contracts For Upcoming Demidov Extension] –
- ICYMI: Depending on a few different factors, the Habs should have enough cap space heading into 2026-27 to acquire at least one top-tier player. This depends on whether or not they can find a new home for Brendan Gallagher in the near future. [Canadiens Salary Cap Projection: Available Funds For Trades]
Sportsnaut Network
- The Boston Bruins want to add speed and skill this summer, and they may be able to look at a team in salary cap trouble for some help. The Bruins should have their eyes on is Mavrik Bourque, a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. The 24-year-old is coming off a breakout sophomore season on a lethal Dallas Stars team. He hit the 20-goal mark and finished with 41 points; he added one more goal in six playoff games. [Boston Bruins]
- Arseny Gritsyuk is seeking a multi-year contract extension with the New Jersey Devils, New Jersey Hockey Now has learned. Fresh off a solid rookie NHL campaign in which he recorded 13 goals and 31 points in 66 games, the 25-year-old Russian winger is looking to capitalize on his strong first season in North America. [New Jersey Devils]
- The New York Islanders may lose their captain to free agency, and the New Jersey Devils play a major role in the situation. Anders Lee’s seven-year contract is up on July 1st, and he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent. [New Jersey Devils]
