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A third player officially leaves the Canadiens organization for good, joining Gallagher and Laine

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Skyler Walker
June 5, 2026  (7:41)
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Mar 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Patrik Laine (92) celebrates with his teammates his goal against the Florida Panthers in the first period at Bell Centre.
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Nate Clurman is leaving Laval, and Pascal Vincent now has one more hole to fill on the Rocket blue line.

The 28-year-old defenseman will not return to the Canadiens organization next season.

His next stop is Rögle in Sweden's SHL, a move first reported Wednesday night.

That kind of exit won't shake Montreal's top roster, but it matters in Laval.

Clurman gave the Rocket a steady veteran presence and another pro voice inside the room.

Andrew Zadarnowski's report laid it out plainly:

«Nate Clurman will not return to the Montreal Canadiens and Laval Rocket next season. He will head to Sweden, where he will sign with Rögle.»

That's the part that stands out here.

This isn't just a depth defenseman moving on. It's another sign Laval's back end is shifting toward a younger group, and it's happening fast.

While Kent Hughes handles another busy summer in Montreal, Vincent now has his own rebuild to manage with the Rocket.

One departure can open a lane, but it can also strip away stability.

Owen Protz and Bryce Pickford are both expected to join the mix in the coming months.

Clurman's exit only sharpens the focus on what those additions could mean right away.

Laval Rockets blue line just got younger

That's where this gets interesting for the Canadiens pipeline.

A vacancy like this can turn a patient development plan into a real camp battle by the fall.

David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom still hang over the picture as major variables.

A promotion to Montreal or a move elsewhere would change Laval's depth chart in a hurry.

For prospects, that's good news.

More ice time, more special-teams work, and more pressure usually reveal who is ready and who still needs another stretch in the American League.

For the Rocket staff, it creates another job.

Young defense groups need insulation, and Laval may need to add another experienced pro before camp opens.

The timing matters too. July 1 should clear up part of the picture, especially if the organization wants to balance development with a team that still expects to stay competitive.

Clurman's departure may look minor from the outside. Inside the Canadiens system, it feels like one more push toward a younger, more volatile blue line in Laval.