The Montreal Canadiens enter the offseason with a familiar challenge: re‑signing six restricted free agents whose contracts have either expired or are set to expire. Among them, winger Zachary Bolduc stands out as the most publicly discussed.
Contract Talks and Cap Constraints
Bolduc’s entry‑level deal has run its course, prompting the club to put forward either a two‑year bridge agreement or a longer five‑year contract. Analysts at AFP Analytics estimate that a bridge pact would sit near $3.6 million per season, a figure that fits within the team’s current cap cushion, which sits just under $10 million.
While the financials are manageable, the coaching staff has hinted that only a handful of the six RFAs will earn regular spots in the NHL lineup. Four of the group are projected to begin the year in the AHL, leaving Bolduc and defenseman Arber Xhekaj as the primary contributors who will shape the cap picture.
Across the league, forward Anthony Mantha recently signed a two‑year, $9.5 million contract with the New Jersey Devils. In a brief interview, Mantha revealed that the Canadiens had expressed early interest, underscoring the team’s ongoing scouting of external options.
A Player on the Move
Prospect Makar Khanin, a seventh‑round selection in the 2024 draft, has opted to continue his development abroad, signing with AKM Tula Region of the Russian VHL. The move follows a stint in St. Petersburg where he posted 27 points in 35 games, though his recent North American stint yielded just two goals and five assists in 19 appearances.
Khanin’s third VHL team in as many months reflects a strategic decision to seek more ice time and a different competitive environment. While the transition does not guarantee an NHL return, it offers a clear pathway for the young forward to rebuild his value.