Habs Daily: Free Agents, Giroux Rumour, Laine Loves Montreal

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

Montreal Canadiens News

The latest trade rumour has the Habs loosely linked to pending unrestricted free agent Claude Giroux. If he’s actually serious about being interested in playing for the Montreal Canadiens, a short-term contract could work out for both parties should the dwindling UFA options continue to disappear.  [Canadiens UFA Centre Options Dwindling, Giroux Rumour]

Patrik Laine was in Florida to celebrate the Panthers’ Stanley Cup win with fellow Finn Sasha Barkov, and though he was clearly happy for his friend, his love for Montreal shone through.

Last night when we were leaving my friend told him he should come to Florida and his response was

“I think I’m good in Montreal, we beat you 4 times in the regular season” 😂

Can’t even be mad at that response lmao #TimeToHunt https://t.co/abd8dJY4OJ

— David (@David954FLA) June 19, 2025

Like most of the original six PWHL teams, the Montreal Victoire lost a fair amount of talent via the expansion draft and free agency. On the bright side, they did sign Hayley Scamurra.

HAY HAY SCAMURRA!

L’attaquante Hayley Scamurra rejoint la Victoire de Montréal avec un contrat standard de deux ans.

Forward Hayley Scamurra signs a two-year contract with the Montreal Victoire.

📰 https://t.co/Fs5glm3WoE pic.twitter.com/8kfqdzv3P6

— Victoire de Montréal (@PWHL_Montreal) June 17, 2025

ICYMI: For the first time in three years, the Montreal Canadiens do not own a top-five pick heading into the NHL Entry Draft. However, thanks to a few smart trades, their pre-draft pick value remains quite high compared to previous seasons. [Canadiens Maintain Surprising NHL Draft Pick Value]

National Hockey Now Network

The Florida Panthers showed how close a team they really are not long after beating the Oilers to win the Stanley Cup for the second straight year on Tuesday night. [Florida Panthers]

2025 draft-eligible prospect Will Horcoff brings a lot of what the Blackhawks are missing to the table, and would be a logical target with the No.25 overall pick. [Chicago Blackhawks]

The New Jersey Devils trade forward Erik Haula to the Nashville Predators in exchange for their fourth-round pick in 2025 and defenseman Jeremy Hanzel. [New Jersey Devils]