Habs Daily: Franchise Value, Demidov Health, Senators Fines

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

Montreal Canadiens News

The Canadiens are now worth $3.3 billion according to Sportico, a 13 percent increase in franchise value. They’re ranked third in the NHL, behind the Toronto Maple Leafs ($4.25 billion) and the New York Rangers ($3.65 million). [Sportico]

The Habs did not provide an update on Ivan Demidov, as they had the day off. Expect an update once practice is over on Thursday. That being said, Elliotte Friedman does not believe Demidov’s injury is serious.

Don’t believe there’s any long-term injury concern for Demidov after the slash he took last night https://t.co/Jk8bwnfCE9

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 1, 2025

There were plenty of dirty plays on Tuesday night between the Habs and the Senators. In the end, the Department of Player Safety opted to fine two Senators players for their ugly plays, Nick Cousins and Hayden Hodgson. It should be noted that Jayden Struble escaped punishment for landing a heavy cross-check on Jan Jenik, who had to leave the game shortly after Struble dropped him in a one-sided fight. [Two Senators Fined Following Violent Game Versus Montreal]

Some Canadiens fans thought the Senators had called-up several players from the AHL ahead of Saturday’s game, but it’s worth noting the Senators are playing the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. The players recalled from the AHL are unlikely to face the Habs, as it would lead to the Belleville Senators not having enough players to ice a legal roster for their weekend games. 

ROSTER UPDATE: Tyler Boucher, Hunter Shepard, Jorian Donovan, Oskar Petersson, Xavier Bourgault, Tomas Hamara, Keean Washkurak and Scott Harrington have been recalled from the @BellevilleSens training camp.

Tyler Boucher, Hunter Shepard, Jorian Donovan, Oskar Petersson, Xavier…

— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) October 1, 2025

ICYMI: Ivan Demidov looked great versus the Senators, participating in the team’s first three goals in a one-sided 5-0 win. On top of dominating the Senators on the scoreboard, the Habs also took the physical battles, with the Xhekaj brothers leading the charge. There were half a dozen fights, not to mention a few dirty plays by each team. [Canadiens Highlights: Demidov Shines On Xhekaj Fight Night]

National Hockey Now Network

Making the Florida Panthers opening night roster is not going to be easy, but Jack Studnicka has been through the drill before. Now 26, Studnicka has already been to training camps with four different NHL teams. He knows what it’s like to be on the bubble. [Florida Panthers]

The first domino on the 2026 Free Agent board has fallen. The Minnesota Wild announced that they had signed superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year, $136 million contract. That’s an average annual value of $17 million per year. [Vegas Golden Knights]

As a hockey player, James van Riemsdyk was feeling the pull of wanting to be in training camp with the Detroit Red Wings. However, as a father, van Riemsdyk felt the responsibility he held as a father outweighed the need to be skating with his new NHL team. [Detroit Red Wings]