Saturday Habs Headlines: Kent Hughes sets the scene for 2025-26

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• Kent Hughes says that even though the 2025 post-season appearance was limited to five games, the entire second half of the season helped the group understand what it took to win. [NHL.com]
• Hughes discusses the Canadiens’ most pressing concerns, including Kirby Dach, whom the GM hopes will be ready for the start of the season but is going to make sure his players is 100% healthy before returning. [NHL.com]
• The Canadiens slot in at 17th in Sportsnet’s pre-season power ranking. [Sportsnet]
• Montreal’s last three first-round picks rank as their best prospects. [NHL.com]
• NHL.com has a conservative 51 points as Noah Dobson’s 2025-26 total, but predicts career years for the main foursome. [NHL.com]
• Juraj Slafkovský is Montreal’s breakout candidate. [NHL.com]
• Zachary Bolduc refuses to believe he’s actually a member of the Montreal Canadiens until he takes to the Bell Centre ice to Coldplay’s Fix You. [Journal de Montreal]
• David Savard’s treatments to help improve his quality of life in retirement are taking some of the sting out of not preparing to join teammates for another NHL season. [La Presse]
• Filip Eriksson, who’s hoping for better offensive luck this year, begins his SHL pre-season with a point:

• A chainsaw carving of Carey Price was unveiled at Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex with the help of the goaltender’s parents. [Williams Lake Tribune]

Around the league and elsewhere

• The Detroit Red Wings signed Travis Hamonic to a one-year contract. [NHL.com]
• Brandon Montour would love to turn a great showing at the World Championship into a spot on Canada’s Olympic team. [NHL.com]
• Sarah Fillier is aiming for greatness with a career like Marie-Philip Poulin has created. [CBC]
• The winning members of Team Minnesota in the 3ICE competition hope their performance caught some attention to further their hockey careers. [NHL.com]