Habs Daily: Back-To-Back Games, Veleno’s Impact, Zharovsky

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

Montreal Canadiens News

The Habs added much-needed centre depth to the lineup by signing 25-year-old forward Joe Veleno. We can’t expect much offence from the Montreal native, but his defensive impact is above average. Most importantly, this is not a signing intended to fill the second-line centre role, as that’s above Veleno’s salary cap hit of just $900,000. [Canadiens Signings – What To Expect From Joe Veleno]

The Bell Centre is one of the busiest arenas in the world, which means scheduling is always complicated. The Montreal Canadiens are set to play 16 back-to-back games next year, including two very difficult stretches that are necessary due to the Olympic break. The good news is that most NHL teams will be dealing with a difficult schedule as well. [Canadiens Given Difficult Schedule With Most B2B Games]

I had no idea recent draft pick Alexander Zharovsky met prospect Ivan Demidov as a youngster, a nice bonus for the organization when you consider how difficult it is to head to a new country as a young man to start your professional career in earnest. What I did know is that many scouts were very high on Zharovsky prior to the draft, and that he has the potential to be a draft-day steal.

Habs prospect Alexander Zharovsky on his childhood friend Ivan Demidov & his dream of playing in the NHL:

“I met Demidov when we were kids, we played on the same team.”

👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/20dacuFBE0

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) July 16, 2025

ICYMI: According to Nick Kypreos, the Habs are among the two teams that would interest Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri. With all due respect to Kypreos, I’m not sure Kadri fits the long-term roster construction-plan put in place by Kent Hughes. That being said, he would definitely solve the No.2 centre issue for a couple of years.  [Latest Canadiens Trade Rumour – Kadri Willing To Lift NMC]

National Hockey Now Network

After selling off core pieces at the trade deadline last year and opening new opportunities for their prospects, it appeared the Bruins were ready to reinvigorate their lineup heading into the 2025-26 campaign. But with several veteran additions through free agency, those opportunities have suddenly dwindled. [Boston Bruins]

General manager Kyle Davidson mentioned earlier this month that he wanted to add another goaltender to share the net in Rockford with Commesso. With that in mind, the Blackhawks signed Russian netminder Stanislav Berezhnoy on Wednesday. [Chicago Blackhawks]

On Wednesday, the Red Wings announced the 2025 first-round draft pick Carter Bear had agreed to terms on a three-year entry-level contract. Detroit chose Bear 13th overall on draft day in Los Angeles. [Detroit Red Wings]