r/Habs

The 2025-2026 season and especially offseason has genuinely been the most insane and drama filled I've ever witnessed in terms of seismic shifts in contract valuations, offer sheet, teams collapsing and rising, coach movement, etc etc. The list goes on. I just want to take a moment and appreciate how relatively drama-less the Habs have been through all of it while ALSO being a literal final four team in the entire league, losing only to the cup champs. And on top of that, locking up the entire core that GOT them there to deals entirely under 8 figures.

So far no needs have been addressed - still no top 6 centre, nothing exciting to add to the D, but this wasn't a team that desperately had to remake itself this year and with guys like Colton fucking Scissons and AJ Greer getting north of 4m, it's clear the market is absolutely insane in terms of available talent and available cap space, so I'm not upset.

Meanwhile, Kent has Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov locked up for 18m against a cap that is gonna go north of 120m VERY quickly, while knuckledraggers like Pat Verbeek piss off their young talent over 1-2m to the point that they nearly flush their entire 10 year rebuild down the drain in a single offseason.

Just posting this for a little sober second thought and appreciation of a management group that prioritizes smart moves and no moves over stupid moves for the sake of making moves.

Not saying they should, just saying it would be hilarious. Who’s glaring now?

Anyone poking around him? Or is he bound for Finland next year?

Different perspective on the Dobes signing.

18M offer to Carlsson is already ~2 Demidov worth of AAV.

The summer is only starting. Bedard is RFA; how much will he cost now? Celebrini is eligible to an extension; what gives?

I personally expect cap growth to slow down. Cap space isn’t worth that much now, but it will become valuable again. I’m a bit annoyed by the patience of the Habs management this summer, but the mid/long term is looking so fucking good.

[Imagine I attached an image of KH as a cook, since I don’t have the skill to edit it myself and slop will get me yelled at]

Leo Carlson contract is crazy

I haven't really noticed anybody discussing Bolduc, even though he is now arguably the Habs' most important RFA. I think there a few important things to address.

1. Bolduc is offer-sheet eligible. Do you think there's any danger of him being tendered an offer-sheet given what is going on with the Ducks? Obviously he is not on the same level as Carlsson, but reports suggest Mintyukov has received multiple offer sheets as well and is weighing his options.

2. Do you think it would be better to give him 3 years (max term while keeping him an RFA) or sign him for longer? With the cap situation right now and the top 6 caliber wingers in the organization I feel like $3M x 3 years makes more sense than $5M x 5 years or something like that, especially since he would remain an RFA at the end of the deal.

With that Leo carlsson offer sheet. Demi is going to be making HALF ( almost ) AND will still be in place 4 more years after This carlsson contract is over. Just elite work

Pretty sure MSL would be best used playing on the wing with Demidov and Newhook.

This line would slap and would temporarily resolve our second line issues.