The Canadiens already made their major splash of the summer by acquiring defenceman Noah Dobson from the Islanders prior to the NHL Draft. Therefore, heading into 2025 free agency, they weren’t expected to be major players for some of the top free agents. However, despite not landing any big-name players, the Habs made some solid moves in Free Agency. Let’s review the Montreal Canadiens 2025 free agency.
Montreal Canadiens 2025 Free Agency
Acquired Zack Bolduc for Logan Mailloux
The Canadiens major move in free agency came via trade. Montreal acquired 22-year-old forward Zachary Bolduc from St. Louis in exchange for prospect Logan Mailloux. Bolduc had 19 goals in his rookie season with the Blues this past year. He is a talented, physical forward with a great release. Bolduc can play anywhere in the lineup and should help improve the team’s second power-play unit. As for Mailloux, the acquisition of Dobson meant there wouldn’t be much space in the Habs lineup for him moving forward. The Canadiens have a surplus of young defencemen, and Kent Hughes was able to use this to his advantage in order to improve the team’s forward core. Adding Bolduc gives Montreal a replacement for Emil Heineman, who was part of the Dobson trade. Zack Bolduc is just scratching the surface of his potential, and he should be a part of the Canadiens long-term plans. He is currently on his entry-level contract and will be a restricted free agent following the 2025-26 season
Added Some Organizational Depth
Despite not landing any big free agents, Montreal was able to improve upon its organizational depth in free agency. They began by adding veteran goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen. He comes in as a replacement for Cayden Primeau, who was traded to Carolina for a 7th-round pick. Kahkonen has never excelled in the NHL, but he gives the Canadiens options with Jakub Dobes. The Canadiens can either opt to have Kahkonen serve as the backup for Samuel Montembeault and return Dobes to Laval to further develop, or they can have him play in the AHL alongside prospect Jacob Fowler. Dobes’ training camp performance will likely dictate where he and Kahkonen begin the year. Montreal also added gritty hometown winger Sammy Blais in free agency. Blais spent all of last season in the AHL winning the Calder Cup with the Abbotsford Canucks. However, he may begin the year in Montreal and serve as Michael Pezzetta‘s replacement as the 13th forward.
Montreal was also able to help out its affiliate in Laval with some depth signings. Former Rocket Captain Alex Belzile has returned to Laval following two years in the Rangers organization. Montreal also re-signed prospect Sean Farrell to a one-year deal. Finally, the Canadiens signed defencemen Nate Clurman and Marc Del Gaizo to two-way deals, improving the organizational depth at the position.
Let Players Walk in Free Agency
The Canadiens also allowed a few of their free agents to walk on July 1st. The most notable being forwards Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia. Dvorak priced himself out of Montreal by capitalizing on the limited center market. He received a one-year, 5.4 million deal from the Philadelphia Flyers. As for Armia, he would sign a two-year pact with the Los Angeles Kings at 2.5 million. At that price, it’s a bit of a surprise that the Canadiens didn’t opt to bring him back. However, they have some young prospects like Oliver Kapanen, Joshua Roy, and Owen Beck ready to take the next step and fill Armia’s shoes.
Montreal also allowed forwards Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Michael Pezzetta to walk. Harvey-Pinard hopes to revive his career in Pittsburgh after being limited due to injuries the past couple of seasons. As for Pezzetta, he would sign with the rival Maple Leafs on a two-year deal.
Didn’t Hand Out Lucrative Contracts
Montreal’s best move of free agency may have been no move at all. Many of the top free agents were off the board before we even hit July 1st. As such, we saw a very limited market and a lot of lucrative deals handed out around the league. Montreal and Kent Hughes were smart to stick to the course and not be swayed into handing out regrettable deals. The Canadiens still have a hole down the middle, but at this stage, they are best served filling it via trade. The Montreal Canadiens had themselves a successful free agency and a successful 2025 offseason overall thus far.
Main Photo: Eric Bolte- Imagn Images
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