Canadiens Daily
Habs Daily: Bolduc’s Excitement, Goal Prediction, NHL Draft
Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Thursday.
Montreal Canadiens News
Zachary Bolduc is excited to join the Habs, but there was a certain amount of ambiguity involved as he said goodbye to his teammates in St-Louis. He was also quick to mention he’s ready to play any role with the Habs. As for Simon Gagné, he suggests Bolduc could hit 30 goals if he reaches his potential, a rather lofty prediction. [Bolduc Excited To Play Any Role For The Canadiens]
The NHL enjoyed its most exciting and popular drafts in years when they held it at the Las Vegas Sphere in 2024, whereas this year’s draft was easily the worst in recent memory from a production standpoint. According to Elliotte Friedman, the NHL is likely to maintain the decentralized format. From what I’ve heard, it has more to do with some teams complaining about the costs, which is classic NHL.
Apparently there are reports about the future of the NHL draft
There is a vote right now, not yet completed.
But from what I’m canvassing — unless there is a wild swing in the few remaining to be submitted — the vote will be to stay with the de-centralized format.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 10, 2025
Did Michael Pezzetta steal Ryan Reaves’ job in Toronto?
TRADE: We’ve acquired defenceman Henry Thrun from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for forward Ryan Reaves pic.twitter.com/dZKTlDwXGP
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 11, 2025
ICYMI: The Habs still have some salary cap space available should they want to upgrade their lineup prior to the start of the 2025-26 season. If we look beyond next season with the help of Cap Wages’ Build A GM Mode, the salary cap situation is actually quite healthy, even if we include the Lane Hutson mega extension. [Montreal Canadiens Salary Cap Projections For Two Seasons]
National Hockey Now Network
The Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday acquired defenseman Matt Dumba and a 2028 second-round draft pick from the Dallas Stars in exchange for defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
Josh Manson is remaining with the Avalanche for the foreseeable future. With a year still remaining on his last contract, the veteran blueliner signed a two-year contract extension with the Avs on Thursday, keeping him under contract with the club through the 2027-28 season.
On paper, Jesse Kiiskinen is a member of the Detroit Red Wings organization. In reality, he must first fulfill other commitments before getting to officially pull on the winged wheel jersey. [Detroit Red Wings]
