The 2025 NHL offseason is in full swing. As the Stanley Cup Playoffs are wrapping up, fans are looking ahead to the 2025 NHL Entry Draft as well as Free Agency. There has been no shortage of rumours and as per usual the Montreal Canadiens are at the centre of it all. No, Sidney Crosby and Mitch Marner aren’t coming to Montreal this offseason. However, there are some rumours concerning the Canadiens that are far more realistic. Let’s take a look at some of the Montreal Canadiens offseason rumors.
Montreal Canadiens Rumours
Canadiens and Penguins Looking at Defenceman Nicolas Hague
According to @RealKyper, the Canadiens and the Penguins are in “hot pursuit” to acquire left-handed defenseman Nicolas Hague
Do you think this would be a good move? pic.twitter.com/ic90ntjwdu
— HFTV (@HFTVSports) June 8, 2025
The Montreal Canadiens are looking to add size to their backend, and the 6’6″ defenceman Nicolas Hague certainly fits that bill. Hague is a 26-year-old defenceman who has spent his entire career with the Vegas Golden Knights. With Vegas needing to shed some money, Hague may become a cap casualty for the team. With that being said, he is an RFA this offseason and is due for a raise from his previous 2.3 million dollar AAV. After the departure of Savard and his $3.5 million, Montreal can afford to give Hague a raise somewhere in the $3-4 million range.
Hague addresses the Canadiens lack of size and defensive stability on the backend. However, the only problem with the potential acquisition is that he is a left-handed shot, something Montreal has an abundance of. While David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux could join the Canadiens next season, Alexandre Carrier is currently the only right-handed defenceman on the roster.
Adding Hague likely means that one of Arber Xhekaj or Jayden Struble would be headed back the other way. Struble is also an RFA this offseason and will be looking for a raise. However, he won’t command nearly as much as Hague. Xhekaj also comes in at only $1.3 million for next season, which is much more manageable for Vegas. Both players spent time in the press box this season, and shipping one of them out for an upgrade in Hague may be an intriguing opportunity to improve the blueline.
Montreal Back in on Jonathan Marchessault?
Frank Seravalli on Jonathan Marchessault being open to moving on from the Nashville Predators:
“I think in a perfect world, he would love to go to the Montreal Canadiens & go home. I don’t know how open they are to that, given the term on his deal. But you can see him helping a… pic.twitter.com/lGrN9ukRFb
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) May 28, 2025
Frank Serevalli recently revealed that forward Jonathan Marchessault is unhappy in Nashville and may seek a trade. Marchessault’s preferred destination is his native Montreal, where he was courted this past offseason. The big issue for general manager Kent Hughes was the term that Marchessault was seeking. He comes in at an affordable 5.5 million, which is a bargain for a player of his caliber. However, Marchessault is 34 and is under contract for the next four seasons.
Regarding other Montreal Canadiens rumours, Marchessault is an intriguing add. He struggled in Nashville this season, but so did everyone else on their roster. He is a player capable of putting up 4o goals and 6o points in a season. This type of offensive addition would greatly help the Canadiens. However, the term isn’t ideal. There are better winger options who are also younger that can be had in Free Agency. Names such as Nikolaj Ehlers and Brock Boeser come to mind for Montreal. Giving up the assets required to bring in Marchessault likely wouldn’t be worth it, and Montreal should look elsewhere for an offensive boost.
Mike Matheson Seeking an Extension With the Canadiens
According to MAG, Mike Matheson met with Kent Hughes & Jeff Gorton in Buffalo today. He’s hoping to sign a new contract extension with the Habs.
Matheson will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026 at 32 years old. https://t.co/TcslrTBYe7
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) June 5, 2025
How the Montreal Canadiens Offseason Rumours All Shake Down
It was recently reported that veteran defenceman Mike Matheson is seeking an extension. Matheson is currently 31 and will be a UFA at the end of next season. He currently carries a cap hit just shy of $5 million annually. Although fans may not like to admit it, the Canadiens are better with Mike Matheson in the lineup. The problem is he carries too high a workload, and it leads to unforced errors. With the amount of left-handed defencemen on the roster, it’s hard to see why the Canadiens would want to extend him.
If Matheson can slot further down the Canadiens lineup, then he could be worth bringing back at a reduced cap hit. However, it’s also important not to block young players like Struble, Xhekaj, and Lane Hutson, as well as their prospects, from receiving quality minutes in the future.
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The post An Analysis of Recent Montreal Canadiens Offseason Rumours appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.