What happened: Montreal agreed to terms with Alex Newhook on a four-year extension carrying a $5.55 million average annual value. The contract 5 million signing bonuses in each of the first two years.

Why it matters: The move fixes Newhook's future cap number before the extension begins, giving Montreal cost certainty through 2030-31. It also lands days after Montreal opened rookie camp, part of a September stretch in which the Canadiens have been closing out contract business before the season.

What to watch: The next details to watch are the year-by-year salary structure and how Newhook fits into Montreal's longer-term cap map once the extension starts in 2027-28. Any further Canadiens contract moves this week would add to the club's early camp reshaping.