Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Friday.
Montreal Canadiens News
The Habs own the 16th and 17th overall picks at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, which is more than enough ammo to move up in the first round. How far they can move up will depend on how much they’re willing to pay. [Establishing The Cost Of Moving Up In The 2025 NHL Draft]
Former Montreal Canadiens forward Mathieu Darche was named the general manager of the New York Islanders, beating out former Habs GM Marc Bergevin. [Former Canadiens Player Beats Former Canadiens GM For Job]
The Laval Rocket were outplayed by a large margin by the Rochester Americans in Game 4 of the North Division Final. Jacob Fowler allowed four goals on 14 shots, and was replaced by Cayden Primeau early in the third period. Logan Mailloux had his worst outing of the playoffs, though you’d be hard-pressed to argue any defenceman played well beyond Adam Engstrom and William Trudeau. The good news is that Joshua Roy drove into traffic and was rewarded with his second goal in as many games, the bad news is that it wasn’t enough to change the momentum in the 5-1 loss. Game 5 will take place at Place Bell, on Sunday, at 4:30 PM ET. Seeing as this is a best-of-five series, Sunday’s game will decide which team will face the Charlotte Checkers in the Eastern Conference Final.
Joshua Roy brings Laval back into the game. Great work by Adam Engstrom to get the goalie moving. 3-1 Rochester. #LavalRocket pic.twitter.com/Z5CvDRcYdN
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) May 24, 2025
ICYMI: Frederik Dichow, drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, backstopped Denmark during a shocking 2-1 win over Canada at the World Championship. Dichow made stopped 39 of the 40 shots he faced. [Former Canadiens Goaltending Prospect Upsets Canada]
ICYMI: A few eyebrows were raised when the Canadiens picked Florian Xhekaj in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, but the hard-hitting prospect has done nothing but exceed expectations since then. Beyond setting a Laval Rocket record for the most goals from a rookie, Xhekaj has quickly climbed the prospect depth chart. A career in the NHL is not out of the question. [Canadiens Prospects: Florian Xhekaj Flourishing In Laval]
National Hockey Now Network
At inopportune moments this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ goaltending issues felt like a dropped anchor on a sinking ship. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
For the fourth time in five years, Bill Zito of the Florida Panthers has been named a finalist for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award, presented to the NHL’s top GM. [Florida Panthers]
The Flyers and Devils rarely engage in trade talks, but a change could be the best way forward for both organizations. [New Jersey Devils]