Kirby Dach's new deal gives Martin St-Louis and the Montreal Canadiens nearly $9,800,000 in projected cap space.
Montreal signed Dach to a one-year, $3,600,000 contract for the 2026-27 season, keeping the 25-year-old forward in the lineup without a long commitment.
The Canadiens now carry a projected cap hit of $94,216,076 against the $104,000,000 ceiling.
That leaves exactly $9,783,924 in projected space with 21 active players: 12 forwards, 6 defencemen and 3 goaltenders.
The room gives general manager Kent Hughes options, but part of it may still be needed for unsigned restricted free agents Zachary Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj.
Montreal also has 2 open roster spots. Hughes can finish his internal business before deciding whether another addition makes sense.
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Great news for Kent Hughes and the Canadiens has just been confirmed and this is crucial
Dach's contract limits the risk after an uneven season. He recorded 8 goals and 15 points in 37 regular-season games.
He then scored 4 goals in 19 playoff appearances, offering a stronger finish as Montreal pushed deeper into the spring.
The one-year structure creates pressure on Dach to stay healthy and produce consistently. It also lets the Canadiens reassess his place in the top six before making another long-term decision.
For St-Louis, the immediate task is finding the right deployment. Dach's size and skill can help down the middle or on the wing, but his role must translate into steady offensive output.
The remaining cap space could support another forward, blue-line help or simply give Montreal flexibility during the season. There's no need to spend every available dollar in July.
Xhekaj and Bolduc remain part of the calculation, and their eventual contracts will reduce the current total. Until those deals are completed, the Canadiens' true spending power remains unsettled.
Still, Hughes has avoided boxing himself in. Dach is signed, the roster is close to full, and Montreal retains enough room to react if a useful opportunity appears before puck drop.
Should Montreal use its remaining cap space on another major addition?
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