As is tradition for every team except one, the season ends with a locker room clear out before players go their separate ways for the summer.
Players had their exit meetings with the staff and then met the media to discuss their outlook for the off-season. Some players will detail their plans to play in the upcoming IIHF World Championship as well. The tournament will be held in Czechia and could have more talent than ever as players want to position themselves for the 2026 Olympics, which NHL players will take part in for the first time since 2014.
Kaiden Guhle has said that he will take part for Team Canada as long as he recovers in time for the tournament, to be held from May 10-24.
Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton and General Manager Kent Hughes also met the media.
The biggest news was that head coach Martin St-Louis now has a contract for the next three seasons. Hughes said the team plans to exercise the option they have in his contract.
Kent Hughes says Nick Suzuki is learning every day how to be a better captain and sees similarities between him and his former client Patrice Bergeron.
Hughes says he will look at improving the current roster but not at all costs, sacrificing too much in the future.
Hughes says he wants to be in the playoff mix next season but again says he will not deviate from the long-term plan they have for the organization.
Samuel Montembeault has emerged as the Canadiens’ #1 goaltender but that doesn’t mean the battle and internal competition will stop, says Kent Hughes.
Kent Hughes says they will look at extensions with the assistant coaches now that St-Louis has been extended.
Lane Hutson made a good first impression, but no decision has been made on how they will handle him next season.
Juraj Slafkovský says that he expects to go to the World Championships.
Samuel Montembeault says the goaltending tandem will continue to push each other to help the team win.
He says the trade of Jake Allen was disappointing but also made things clearer for the two of them.
Caufield will represent Team USA at Worlds.
Josh Anderson has no excuses for his play this season.
Mike Matheson declined an invitation to play at Worlds.
No reason is a bad reason, but Matheson certainly has a good one
