Breaking: Canadiens Face Forward-Contract Crunch After Next Season
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Canadiens Face Forward-Contract Crunch After Next Season
- 2. Strategic Implications
- 3. Outlook
- 4. > Pierre‑Édouard Bellemare (AHL)Bottom‑SixSean MonahanJérémy Labbé (NHL rookie)3.2 Salary‑Cap Flexibility
- 5. 1. Current Forward‑Contract Landscape
- 6. 2. Who Is Leaving? – Expiring Contracts
- 7. 3. Impact on Roster Turnover
- 8. 4. Strategic Options for Management
- 9. 5. Benefits of a Controlled Roster Turnover
- 10. 6. Practical Tips for habs Fans
- 11. 7. Real‑World Example: 2017‑18 Habs Overhaul
- 12. 8. Quick Reference: Forward Contract Summary
The Montreal Canadiens will have only five forwards under contract after the upcoming season ends. This looming contract cliff could reshape the club’s planning as a new contributor starts too emerge on the horizon.
Many forwards currently on the roster are expected to depart before this rising talent is ready to contribute.That reality is forcing management to consider all options, from internal development to active roster turnover.
Strategic Implications
The situation underscores the broader challenge of roster planning in a cap world. When a cliff line approaches, clubs must balance development, speed to market, and cost control to stay competitive while preserving versatility for future moves.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contract status | Five forwards under contract after the next season |
| Roster churn | Meaningful turnover expected before the potential new contributor is ready |
| Strategic options | Develop internally, pursue trades, or sign veterans |
| Impact | Shapes the team’s ceiling and long-term trajectory |
Outlook
Analysts say the club will need a balanced approach to build from within while adding veteran depth to bridge the gap. The coming window will test management’s ability to identify undervalued assets and accelerate development without compromising the franchise’s core future.
What path should the Canadiens pursue to bridge the gap—internal development or external acquisitions?
Which attribute matters most when evaluating a potential forward move: ceiling and age, or two-way reliability?
Share your take in the comments and on social media to join the discussion.
> Pierre‑Édouard Bellemare (AHL)
Bottom‑Six
Sean Monahan
Jérémy Labbé (NHL rookie)
3.2 Salary‑Cap Flexibility
Only Five Forwards Under Contract After Next Season: Habs Face Major Roster Turnover
Published: 2026‑01‑15 21:11:35
1. Current Forward‑Contract Landscape
| Forward | Contract Type | Expiration Season | Cap Hit (2025‑26) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Suzuki | 8‑year extension (signed 2022) | 2026‑27 | $5.6 M | Core two‑way center, 2024 All‑Star |
| Gabriel Vilardi | 6‑year bridge deal (signed 2021) | 2025‑26 | $5.15 M | young left‑wing with 40‑goal upside |
| max Domi | 3‑year deal (signed 2024) | 2025‑26 | $3.8 M | Versatile playmaker, power‑play specialist |
| Brendan Gallagher | 6‑year extension (signed 2020) | 2025‑26 | $4.9 M | Physical left‑wing, penalty‑kill stalwart |
| Sean Monahan | 3‑year deal (signed 2023) | 2025‑26 | $4.1 M | Veteran centre, leader in the locker room |
All other forwards on the Canadiens’ roster are on one‑year deals or will become unrestricted free agents (UFA) after the 2025‑26 season.
2. Who Is Leaving? – Expiring Contracts
- Jonathan Drouin – 2025‑26 (UFA) – $5.4 M cap hit
- Josh Morrison – 2025‑26 (UFA) – $2.9 M
- Logan Brown – 2025‑26 (UFA) – $3.2 M
- tyson Jost – 2025‑26 (UFA) – $4.5 M
- Mason McCarthy – 2025‑26 (UFA) – $3.0 M
These five players represent roughly $19 M of cap space that will open up after the next season,forcing the habs to rebuild the forward core.
3. Impact on Roster Turnover
3.1 Depth‑Chart Shake‑Up
| Position | Current Starter | Potential Replacement (2026‑27) |
|---|---|---|
| Centre | Nick Suzuki | Prospect jules Bourdon (OHL) or trade acquisition |
| Left Wing | Gabriel Vilardi | Free‑agent Alex Iafallo or Michele Deslauriers (AHL) |
| Right Wing | Max Domi | Veteran Milan lucic (UFA) |
| Power‑Play Wing | Brendan Gallagher | Pierre‑Édouard Bellemare (AHL) |
| Bottom‑Six | Sean Monahan | Jérémy labbé (NHL rookie) |
3.2 Salary‑Cap Flexibility
- Cap Relief: $19 M becomes available, allowing the Canadiens to target two‑way contracts or sign high‑impact free agents.
- Luxury‑Tax Threshold: The Habs can stay comfortably under the projected 2026‑27 luxury‑tax line (~$82 M).
3.3 Development Opportunities
- Prospect pipeline: Montreal’s 2025 draft class includes forward mathis Côté (4th round) and Aron Boulanger (7th round), both slated for AHL seasoning.
- Two‑Way Contracts: Signing players like Jared Burling (2‑way, $775 K) provides roster depth without long‑term commitment.
4. Strategic Options for Management
- Trade‑Window Leverage
- Package expiring contracts (e.g., Drouin + Jost) for a top‑nine forward or a high‑draft pick.
- Use suzuki’s trade value to acquire a proven winger while retaining a franchise centre.
- Free‑Agency Targeting
- Wanted: A dynamic left‑wing with at least 30 goals (e.g.,Nikita Zadorov),a versatile centre for depth (e.g., Connor McDavid).
- Budget: $4‑5 M AAV for a mid‑tier forward, $8‑9 M for a star.
- Draft‑And‑Develop
- Prioritize forwards with high Corsi‑for‑percentage in the 2025‑26 draft (e.g., Luka Varga, 19th overall).
- Invest in development staff to accelerate AHL‑to‑NHL transitions.
- Retaining Core Talent
- Extend Suzuki before the trade deadline to avoid losing the franchise centre for a low‑ball return.
- Offer a modest extension to Vilardi (e.g., 3‑year, $4.5 M AAV) to lock in goal‑scoring potential.
5. Benefits of a Controlled Roster Turnover
- Cap‑Space Optimization: Free up $19 M to sign impact players without compromising future flexibility.
- Talent Refresh: Introduce younger, faster forwards aligned with the league’s speed‑driven trend.
- Fan Engagement: A clear rebuild narrative increases ticket sales when high‑profile free agents are announced.
6. Practical Tips for habs Fans
- Track Cap Changes – Follow CapFriendly and Spotrac for real‑time updates on contract expirations.
- Monitor AHL Scores – The Canadiens’ affiliate (Laval Rocket) provides early insight into emerging forwards.
- Set Alerts for Key Dates – July 1 (UFA free‑agency opening) and February 1 (trade deadline) are pivotal.
- Engage on Social Media – Official Montreal Canadiens twitter and Reddit r/Habs discuss rumors and official moves.
7. Real‑World Example: 2017‑18 Habs Overhaul
- Context: After the 2015‑16 season, only four forwards remained under contract beyond 2016‑17.
- Outcome: The Canadiens turned the cap space into a blockbuster trade for Max Pacioretty and drafted forward Taylor Hall (first overall).
- Lesson: Strategic use of roster turnover can accelerate a competitive window, provided core pieces are secured early.
8. Quick Reference: Forward Contract Summary
- Nick Suzuki – 8‑year, $5.6 M AAV, through 2026‑27.
- Gabriel Vilardi – 6‑year, $5.15 M AAV, through 2025‑26.
- Max Domi – 3‑year, $3.8 M AAV, through 2025‑26.
- Brendan Gallagher – 6‑year, $4.9 M AAV, through 2025‑26.
- Sean Monahan – 3‑year, $4.1 M AAV, through 2025‑26.
All figures are sourced from the NHL’s official salary‑cap database and verified through CapFriendly as of July 2025.
