Canadiens Wrap-Up: Projected Lineup, Xhekaj, Newhook, RFAs

MONTREAL — There’s never a dull moment when it comes to the Montreal Canadiens, but it’s not always possible to keep up to date with every breaking news story.

Every Sunday we will recap the most exciting and relevant NHL news stories that you may have missed throughout the week.

Monday

• Even before Alex Newhook signed his extension with the Canadiens, his price tag was rather easy to predict. [Canadiens Cost For Newhook Contract Extension Clear]
• Former Habs players are finding limited options in free agency. Of the 10 players general manager Kent Hughes allowed to become free agents, three have signed for close to the league minimum in the NHL, while two have found work in Europe. The five others are yet to find any takers in free agency. [Former Canadiens Finding Limited Options In Free Agency]

Tuesday

• If you’re looking for more footage from David Reinbacher’s time playing for Kloten HC in the NL, you’re in luck. Two new videos just dropped detailing his strengths, weaknesses, and NHL potential.[Canadiens Reinbacher Videos Offer Insight To Prospect’s Potential]
• The Habs announced they came to terms with Mitchell Stephens on a one-year, two-way contract. [Canadiens General Manager Hughes Finalizing Summer Contracts]
• In this week’s Canadiens Mailbag, we discuss the Alex Burrows powerplay situation, Juraj Slafkovsky’s future, Arber Xhekaj’s ideal defensive partner, the top Habs prospects, and much more. [Habs Mailbag: Xhekaj’s Partner, Alex Burrows’ Work, Slafkovsky]

Wednesday

• General manager Kent Hughes announced the Canadiens came to terms with forward Alex Newhook on a four-year contract extension. Newhook will earn an annual average value of $2.9 million throughout the duration of his new deal. [Canadiens Sign Alex Newhook To Great Value Contract Extension]
• With the Newhook contract in the books, we can get a better idea of the type of salary cap space the Canadiens will have once the season starts based on the current players in the organization. It also allows us to project the Canadiens lineup heading into 2023-24. [Updated Projected Canadiens Lineup And Salary Cap Implications]

Thursday

• The biggest criticism faced by Kent Hughes upon his nomination as the 18th general manager of the Montreal Canadiens was his lack of experience in hockey management. As it turns out, he didn’t exactly lack experience. He just had different experience. And it has served him well in contract negotiations. [Canadiens General Manager Hughes Using Experience Wisely]

Friday

• Take a closer look at how Carey Price’s LTIR status will impact the Canadiens’ salary cap situation going forward. [How The Canadiens Are Influenced By Carey Price’s LTIR Contract]
• The Habs signed two of the three remaining restricted free agents on the team: Lucas Condotta and Nicolas Beaudin. [Canadiens Sign Two Restricted Free Agents]
• Former Hab Alex Galchenyuk had his contract terminated by the Arizona Coyotes less than two weeks after it was signed. [Former Canadiens Top Pick Once Again Placed On Waivers]

Saturday

• This is the final year in which the Canadiens will owe Karl Alzner money due to the buyout that took place in 2017. It’s an important reminder for general manager Kent Hughes: overpaying for past success is rarely a good call in the NHL. [Alzner Buyout Important Reminder For Canadiens Management]
• We had so many good questions submitted this week for the Habs Mailbag that we decided to publish a second series of answers. In part two we covered the many goaltending options heading into the 2023-24 season, the options for the top line, what will happen with players like Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, and Mike Hoffman, a trade offer from the Nashville Predators, as well as a look ahead at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. [Habs Mailbag: Goaltending Options, The Next Hutson, Trade Offers]
• The Montreal Canadiens may not be wheeling and dealing this summer, but that seems to be part of a larger plan for the franchise [Canadiens Biggest Questions Going Into Next Season]