Habs Daily: Upcoming Free Agents, Demidov Mania, Hutson

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Thursday.

Montreal Canadiens News

ICYMI: The Montreal Canadiens should have plenty of financial flexibility heading into the summer. If they can manage to trade Carey Price’s contract, they’ll be in even better shape. [Demidov Situation: Projected Cap Space, Potential Price Trade]

Take a closer look at some of the top centres that could be available to the Canadiens should they want to find someone to play with top prospect Ivan Demidov.  Unrestricted free agents are never cheap, but the Habs may be able to find a good value contract by going the short-term route with an established veteran. [Canadiens Free Agency: Top-8 UFA Centres To Play With Demidov]

On a completely random note, here’s what Sidney Crosby looks like in a Habs jersey. He signed an extension recently, but it’s always fun to dream.

Happy birthday to former @LAKings defenseman Donald Dufresne, who was born on April 10, 1967.#LAKings #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/YZLKeDCAk8

— The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) April 10, 2025

Speaking of the man, the myth, the legend, Demidov landed in Canada last night. There were a few hardcore fans there to meet him, and though some may consider it a little much, but I’d argue that’s exactly what you want to see from a fan base that’s supremely excited about the future. This is also perfectly normal fan behaviour in my mind. Soccer fans are well known for greeting players at the airport, and I’m sure the athletes appreciate it as well.

There are worse feelings than being showered with love by strangers as you prepare to start your professional hockey career in earnest. It’s this level of fanaticism that sets those who worship at the altar of Maurice Richard apart from other hockey fans.

Demidov probably loved every moment.

DemiMANIA has taken over 🔥 (🎬: zackasante) pic.twitter.com/J6yp3NQysz

— HFTV (@HFTVSports) April 11, 2025

You didn’t really think we’d make it through the daily links without a Lane Hutson post, did you?

A Lane Hutson laser beam. 🤯

Electric Goal of the Week presented by @HyundaiCanada pic.twitter.com/JGT9BOyUT1

— NHL (@NHL) April 10, 2025

Because there’s always two Hutson hits in the daily links, minimum.

Here he is briefly discussing Demidov’s arrival.

National Hockey Now Network

The Islanders didn’t do the Habs any favours by losing 9-2 to the New York Rangers. [New York Islanders]

The Florida Panthers, however, did pull through by beating the Detroit Red Wings.  [Detroit Red Wings]

Nathan MacKinnon will not play for the Avalanche when they host the Vancouver Canucks at Ball Arena on Thursday [Colorado Avalanche]