What happened: The Montreal Canadiens have stayed quiet while the NHL trade market heats up, but several veterans could be moved before or during the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Brendan Gallagher, who acknowledged his time in Montreal is winding down, is a clear candidate, and pending restricted free agent Kirby Dach is another name to watch. Goaltender Samuel Montembeault, now No. 3 on the depth chart, also looms as a possible departure.
Why it matters: Montreal is shopping for a top-six center and a right-shot defenseman, and clearing salary is the most direct path to an upgrade. Gallagher's $6.5 million cap hit is the heaviest piece to move, while shedding Montembeault's $3.15 million would add flexibility. Dealing Dach would only make sense if the front office no longer sees him in its long-term plans.
By the numbers: Brendan Gallagher carries a $6.5M cap hit; Samuel Montembeault counts $3.15M. Combined, the two veteran contracts represent roughly $9.65M in potential cap relief.
What to watch: Watch whether Montreal converts any of these names into the center or right-shot blue-line help it needs as draft week unfolds. A Gallagher move in particular would signal the Canadiens are ready to make a bigger swing.