Marc Dumont
Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Tuesday.
Montreal Canadiens News
Highly-mobile defenceman Adam Engstrom kicked off the top 5 in our annual Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings. Not only has Engstrom quickly established himself as one of the best defencemen in the AHL, his underlying numbers during his 11-game audition in Montreal suggest he’s almost ready for full-time NHL action. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects – No. 5 Smooth Skating Engstrom]
I’m not sure if Juraj Slafkovsky shares many similarities with Jaromir Jagr, other than perhaps their size. For the most part, Slafkovsky is a unique player, but who am I to argue with one of the best forwards in hockey history?
Jaromir Jagr on Juraj Slafkovsky:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) February 24, 2026
“I like Juraj Slafkovský's game, maybe because I see myself in him when I was young. I like these types of players who are strong on the boards. He is also very intelligent.” pic.twitter.com/gjGv606ntH
Prospect Bryce Pickford has recovered from his injury, and returned to his scoring ways. We recently profiled Pickford in our top 20 Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects: No.7 – Extraordinary Pickford]
Oliver Kapanen is back in Montreal, having secured a bronze medal for Team Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Oliver Kapanen today on winning the Olympic bronze medal 🥉 with Finland 🇫🇮:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) February 24, 2026
“It means a lot to me and my family also.” pic.twitter.com/ysP3AxqwSv
Marco Marciano continues to spend as much time as possible with his new clients. It’s a little too early to dissect his impact on their numbers, but it won’t be long until we put together an analysis article centred on the goaltending coach change.
New #Habs goalie coach Marco Marciano working with Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes at practice this morning in Brossard. pic.twitter.com/drruSjVLlB
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) February 24, 2026
Former Hab Brett Kulak was involved in another trade on Tuesday. The Colorado Avalanche, a team hungry for another Stanley Cup victory, acquired him in exchange for Samuel Girard and a second-round pick.
The Penguins have acquired defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick from the Avalanche in exchange for Brett Kulak.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 24, 2026
Details: https://t.co/HrWus4pKkI pic.twitter.com/TFDE9O2upR
Sportsnaut Network
If it wasn’t already obvious, New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes will visit the White House on Tuesday with the rest of Team USA. The Devils superstar said while celebrating on Monday in Miami, “We’re so proud to represent the US and when you get the chance to go to the White House and meet the president, we’re proud to be Americans and that’s so patriotic.” [New Jersey Devils]
For the second time this season, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas executed a trade for a younger player with multi-year team control. And for the second time this season, no one else saw the Penguins trade coming. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
It’s been a tough season for Frederik Andersen. From a nine-game losing streak to career lows in key advanced statistics, Andersen has struggled to keep a consistent game. Despite the decimation of the Carolina Hurricanes’ defensive core in the early season, Andersen has been the one to take the brunt of the criticisms throughout the campaign – something that can rob the confidence clean out of any moment like a thief in the night. However, as the national players return from the Olympic stage to the local arenas, perhaps therein lies just what the doctor ordered. [Carolina Hurricanes]
