Habs Pressure To Make a Move Just Got HOTTER! Here's Why!

Habs Pressure To Make a Move Just Got HOTTER! Here’s Why!

July 31, 2026



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The Montreal Canadiens are under increasing pressure to make a move—and the timing may never be better. In today’s episode of The Starr & D’Amico Show, we break down the Canadiens’ salary cap situation, why Kent Hughes has positioned the organization so well financially, and why the pressure to add another impact player is only getting stronger.

With the Habs carrying valuable cap flexibility this season and even more cap space projected for next summer, is the window opening for Montreal to make a blockbuster trade or major free-agent signing? We examine how long-term contracts for stars like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, and Ivan Demidov give the Canadiens one of the healthiest cap structures in the NHL.

Could the Canadiens be setting themselves up for a massive addition to push them into Stanley Cup contention? We discuss the opportunities, the risks, and why the next 12 months could define the future of this rebuild.

🔥 Join the conversation in the comments!
Do YOU think Kent Hughes should make a big move now or wait until next summer?

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View Comments (47)

  4. We need a fourth line that forechecks and finishes their checks. A line that punishes, intimidates and protects our young talent. Also a tough right wing defenceman to protect Hutson.

  7. Well cap going up but Stand Pat loser mentality thinking. Cup window can close fast. Suzuki you only have for 4 more seasons then he's going to hit the jackpot. Then followed by others. Cup window open now!!

    KH going to have to make 3 or 4 big mid season moves. That bottom 6 needed work. Nick Paul type trade, Greer type signing. Give Habs size and 15-20 goals each. Doesn't break the bank. Your right D Little weak. To compete for a Cup.

    Why didn't he deal Dach/Monty give Canucks mid round pick to take all Gallagher contract Habs would have caproom this summer to fix their holes. Be 21 million if trade Guhle for high first? Way top 10 picks we flying around at draft you know you can get over value for him.

  8. people are not the ones having pay those high contrcats of course they are pushing on inflation overpaying players who do not have such value. over evaluating one player on a team .no player should be above the team 's objective we has seen this with Edmondton and the best world hockey player now is McDavid. he accepted 12.5 million when minesota exploaded the system when signing 17 million now it's celebrini at 18.5 ???? no thankl you. lets wake up here

  10. cap in the sharks is already going wild and they could pay a big price for this overpaying. who say celebrini is worth 18.5 million? how much is Conner McDavid worth? Conner's been playing high high level hockey for 10 years he has proven his valu celebrini and the others signing 15 and up are at the beginning of their career.How can you put such a value to a new young talented hockey player when you see MacDavid at 12.5 to help edmondton sign better players to win a Stanley cup?? it make no darn sense what GM's have accepted to pay Overpay

  14. I can’t see the players getting upset if there’s cap space just sitting there! I’m sure they want it to be used for big name players not a bunch of average ones! They left that money on the table to bring in a couple of big guns!! The players will be patient!

  15. Just think of how our top 6 would look right now had that Knies deal gone through! He’s signed at like 7.75 for the next 6 years! Much cheaper option than Marchenko now with the crazy uprising cap! We missed the boat on that one! So close!!!

  16. If they get 30 million of space NEXT year , then THAT’S when the big moves will happen. For now, this is the team, barring an exceptional deal/opportunity coming along. They will have a good regular season. People have to delay their gratification one more year when it comes to being a real cup contender

  18. Thanks to idiot Flyers' GM Briere ridiculous offer sheet to Leo Carlsson, the totally artificial ''market'' value for top tier NHL hockey players skyrocketed. Carlsson may be destined to have a great NHL career but the dude ain't worth $18 million dollars per year. but what is done is done. gotta go with the flow. now Commissioner Gary Bettman will have to jack up the salary cap significantly each coming year for NHL teams to afford a decent elite roster. GMs have a nasty problem on their hands thanks to Briere's irrational move. and how the Flyers' owner could green light such a frivolous move is beyond comprehension. don't make sense. Go Habs Go

  20. I think they will try to bring someone ro replace Dach next year for the 2 next years before Hage and Zharosky's contracts kick in in 3 years. You want keep cash for both of them and Reinbacher. Why would you want osign someone like Marchenko at 11M$ or so…

  21. I know it is a waste of time, but February will come and Pittsburgh may be 10 points out of the playoffs… Then keeping some money and tools could be a lot more interesting. They could sign Crosby for 2 more years if he wanted to. That would be a perfect fit, waiting for Hage and Zharovsky

  25. The Habs best defensive dman is as good as gone. Obviously Hutson is going nowhere and they're stuck with Matheson now. No way is Guhle a third pairing Dman. HuGo F—-d themselves with the Matheson NMC.

  27. this is the exactly what gorts was talking about when he said montreal media are divas 😂 you guys are just yapping at this point in the summer. take a few weeks off lol

  30. HuGo are planning ahead. Just remember how Suzukî’s contract was outrageous to some when he signed it. Oh yeah, Selke trophy winner. As Marco says, the Habs are one year ahead of schedule, too. After battling til the end for the division, I dont think losing against TB would have been shameful, nor unexpected, out of place. Yet the CH won, then won again. Let’s wait a bit, and see. Havent been disappointed so far.

  32. I think the Habs are holding the door open for Michael Hage to come onto the 2nd line. They're waiting until he steps on the ice in college to make it real, then they are free to move and waiting isn't a bad thing. I think Kent has a special spot in his heart for MH, the passing of his Dad and being lifelong Habs fans, I noticed how Kent greeted him at the draft after selection and feel like if the Habs are a "family" MH is their #1 adopted son, they want to guide him, support him and do as much as possible to deliver his dream to play for the Habs. It's my "fantasy of a caring world" but it's also something I've felt about this rebuild, that there's 'magic in them thar hills' and decisions are made that are more than cash, cap & puck business, soul brother, soul!

  42. We do not need to make any moves at this time. The players coming up are plenty good to play in the NHL and yes make the team. JUST RELAX PEOPLE AND LET THE BRASS DO THE JOB THEY ARE PAID TO DO.

  43. The only free agent i was slightly “disappointed” the Habs didn’t sign was Mantha, mainly because he signed for way cheaper and on much shorter terms than anticipated.

    Best of luck to him in New Jersey.

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