Marc Dumont
Here are the Montreal Canadiens and NHL news items you may have missed on Wednesday.
Montreal Canadiens News
- 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]
- Lane Hutson had nothing but great things to say about his young teammate.
Lane Hutson on his Habs teammate Ivan Demidov:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) June 3, 2026
“He’s going to be dangerous, for sure. Just his mentality, the way he works. Just being around him is so fun because it just brings more out of me.” pic.twitter.com/pGK0kZ0J7O
- 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]
- Speaking of Gallagher, as expected, it seems like the Canadiens will do right by their longtime veteran. They want to find him a team that will use him throughout the season, rather than just a team willing to absorb his cap hit for other reasons.
Dreger reported on Insider Trading the Canadiens want to do right by Brendan Gallagher, so that means not only finding the right team to take him, but also where Gallagher can be a useful day-by-day fit.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 3, 2026
- The Canadiens had former netminder Jaroslav Halak introduce the team during the playoffs, but Carey Price was nowhere to be found. It turns out, Price was set to be the torch-bearer if the Canadiens had continued their impressive playoff push.
Carey Price would’ve had the Habs torch at the Bell Centre if the team had gone further in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/ds2x2FwStD
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) June 1, 2026
- Another former Canadiens netminder hit the news. Patrick Roy is apparently in the running for the head coach job with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Considering his fiery approach, not to mention the intensive media coverage in Toronto, I see this as nothing but pure entertainment for Habs fans.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly talking to Patrick Roy about their vacant head coaching position. @Sid_Seixeiro has some thoughts…#sick #thesidseixeiroshow @J_Pardi pic.twitter.com/n35I7ul1zj
— The Sid Seixeiro Show (@sidseixeiroshow) June 3, 2026
Sportsnaut Network
- While the Carolina Hurricanes fell short of winning Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final versus the Vegas Golden Knights, they did so by inches. [Carolina Hurricanes]
- The New Jersey Devils should be watching the 2026 Stanley Cup Final closely. The championship round kicked off Tuesday night in Raleigh with the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Vegas Golden Knights. They’re two very different teams, both battle-tested and built to win in today’s NHL. Yet, there’s plenty New Jersey can take away from each while they are stuck watching from home again after another season that promised more than it delivered. [New Jersey Devils]
- The lottery once again worked out in the San Jose Sharks‘ favour, landing them the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. With draft day approaching, there is growing buzz about who the Sharks may draft at No. 2. [San Jose Sharks]
