Finding a right-handed pitcher wasn’t Kent Hughes’s top priority this summer

When the major media outlets start covering it again, it means hockey season is just around the corner.
Those outlets would have loved to report on a big-name signing by the Habs this summer, but in the end, it never happened.
In fact, Mathias Brunet's first article of the 2026–2027 season in La Presse focused on Kent Hughes's “inaction.”Free Puck | The Habs didn't want to overpayhttps://t.co/8t5YanKfZ4
— La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) August 31, 2026The asking price

Dear Gossips,It’s been another incredibly busy weekend at TIFF, and I’m delighted to say I was able to be out in it this year for the first time in a long time. As exciting as it is to have the festival in our city, the irony is that lots of film & TV professionals who are working during the festival don’t actually get to see or experience much of it at all.But over the weekend I managed to hit a few events, where I met up with, or ran into, people I’ve worked with an

All summer long, we expected the Canadiens to trade Samuel Montembeault. The Quebec native was sidelined last season, and many expected his time in town to be over.
Except that as of today, Monty is… still in town.
That means the Habs currently still have three goalies. And barring a major turnaround, all three will be there when camp starts.
Kent Hughes, during this morning's golf tournament, confirmed that this is what we should expect. However, the GM emphasized that he wouldn't be com

Chris Kreider is a member of the Canadiens. And in a little while, he'll be speaking to the media.
But before that, Jeff Gorton spoke with the press. He answered a few questions about the Canadiens' newest addition.
Makes sense, right?
What's worth noting is that the Canadiens' president announced that the new Canadiens player—who wanted to choose his next destination—called the Canadiens.
Not the other way around!Gorton says Kreider called the Habs, not the other way around #GoHabsG

It's golf tournament day at the Canadiens, which means members of the organization are speaking to the media today. And, of course, the Chris Kreider situation is causing quite a stir.
The forward, who has been booed at the Bell Centre for the past 12 years, has arrived in town—a clear sign that many fans still hold his collision with Carey Price against him.
On that note, it's worth noting that Geoff Molson, who was the first to speak to the media, is happy to see Kreider arrive. He descr

It's not talked about much, but Justin Verlander hasn't given up on his plan to take the mound one last time in front of his Detroit fans.
The Tigers pitcher, who realizes time is running out, continues to work hard to be able to take the mound again this season.Tigers Notes: Verlander, Flaherty, Pérez https://t.co/PVm9lq2ozB pic.twitter.com/c2z6ZRuPul
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) September 13, 2026On Saturday, he threw a session in the bullpen, and it went well. He'll need

Did Kent Hughes’ summer kick off on Saturday afternoon or what?
After signing Chris Kreider and Zachary Bolduc over the weekend, the Canadiens named Josh Anderson as assistant captain this morning.
They also announced this morning that they've extended Martin St-Louis's contract.
One of the major issues still to be resolved is that of Arber Xhekaj, the last unsigned player in the Montreal Canadiens organization heading into next season.
What's the latest?
According to Pierre LeBrun, the de

That’s that.
After naming Josh Anderson as an assistant coach, the Canadiens announced another piece of news: Martin St-Louis has finally signed his contract extension.
The financial details of the deal are unknown.The Canadiens have agreed to the terms of a multi-year contract extension with head coach Martin St-Louis.
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract extension with head coach Martin St-Louis.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/vwS5B88JA5
— Montreal Canadiens (@Cana

So, how was your weekend?
Kent Hughes, for his part, undoubtedly had a great one. The signings of Chris Kreider and Zachary Bolduc have put the team's GM in a better position than he was in 48 hours ago.
With just a few minutes to go before he steps in front of the cameras at the Canadiens' golf tournament, let's just say that's a good thing. He needed at least one win, as we mentioned last week. It's the #Habs
team golf tournament today at Laval-sur-le-Lac!
Geoff Molson, Jeff Gorton, Kent Hughe

It’s done.
Even before the golf tournament began, the Canadiens announced that Josh Anderson had been officially named assistant to captain Nick Suzuki.
Mike Matheson will also retain his “A.”Josh Anderson will now serve as an alternate captain to Nick Suzuki, alongside Mike Matheson
Josh Anderson will serve as an alternate captain to Nick Suzuki, along with Mike Matheson#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/LtymJKgODe
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) September 14, 2026The Canadi

Patrick Mahomes seems more ready than ever to make his return to the NFL.
After several months of rehabilitation, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has provided a particularly encouraging glimpse of his physical condition as the season opener approaches.
Patrick Mahomes' injury had cut his 2025 season short. The star player suffered tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his left knee during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 14.

When Chris Kreider cleared waivers unclaimed on Thursday, it was easy to believe that no team wanted to take on his contract.
As it turned out, that was far from the case.
According to Pierre LeBrun at The Athletic, four or five teams were genuinely interested in claiming Kreider off waivers before his contract with the Ducks was terminated. NEW for @TheAthletic
:
Chris Kreider's decision coming soon, remembering Barry Melrose, a special night celebrating Cliff Fletcher, and more in my latest ht

The NHL Network continued its reveal of the Top 50 best NHL players tonight.
After learning that Cole Caufield had narrowly missed the top 30, coming in at No. 31, two other Canadiens players were obviously ones to watch.
Lane Hutson and Nick Suzuki did not disappoint.
The Canadiens defenseman was ranked 27th, while his captain did even better, coming in at No. 21.NHL Network's Top 50 Players Right Now list continues with ranks 30–21!
: #NHLTopPlayers on NHL Network pic.twitter.com/FzwAqXr

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won’t finish the 2026 season without hitting a home run. The bar is low, I know, but…
This afternoon, against the Baltimore Orioles, Vladdy hit his ninth home run of the season—but his first in Canada.VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR. HITS HIS FIRST HOMER OF THE SEASON AT ROGERS CENTRE pic.twitter.com/BtSQdBWO8s
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 13, 2026The crowd gave him a standing ovation.
He did it during an inning in which the Blue Jays hit three home runs

The big news of the weekend, aside from Zachary Bolduc's signing, is Chris Kreider's arrival in Montreal.
The player who has long been the arch-nemesis of many fans will be wearing the blue-white-red jersey next season.
However, putting old grudges aside, many fans and journalists agree that the Habs are a better team with Kreider, whom Kent Hughes signed to a one-year deal at a more than reasonable price.
On the other hand, some aren't convinced by the signing of the American player.
Among them

The Washington Commanders have confirmed a decision that is drawing attention ahead of their first game of the 2026 season.
Wide receivers Treylon Burks and Luke McCaffrey will not be in uniform Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Both players are officially listed as inactive for this Week 1 matchup. Washington confirmed the news a few hours before kickoff. (Washington Commanders⁠)
This is a particularly interesting decision, as Burks and McCaffrey were among the players exp

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. DFA
The Diamondbacks are moving on.
The D-Backs designated Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for assignment.He was in the final year of his contract, which included a $14 million club option for 2027. https://t.co/TcjzdfZdsG
— Brandon Wile (@Brandon_N_Wile) September 13, 2026
The money is there
That's what Ashkan Karbasfrooshan says about the Expos' return.
MLB's return to Montreal: “The money is there,” says Ashkan Karbasfrooshanhttps://t.co/67FMU5BPA9
— RDS (@RDSc

After several quiet weeks, big news has been coming one after another this weekend.
Of course, there's the signing of Zachary Bolduc, who finally reached an agreement with the Canadiens, but the big talking point is Chris Kreider's arrival in Montreal.
We've said it before, but with Kreider, the Habs are adding a 6-foot-3, 232-pound power forward who will bring speed and physicality—which should help the team, especially in the playoffs.
However, as Arpon Basu explains in an article on The

The Montreal Carabins once again demonstrated their offensive prowess.
The defending Vanier Cup champions completely dominated the Concordia Stingers on Saturday night, winning 51–22 at Concordia University Stadium. (Le Journal de
Montréal⁠)
The Montreal team wasted no time taking control of the game. The Carabins scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and continued their demolition run throughout the first half.
At halftime, the score was already 34–0 in favor

When the Blue Jays had three catchers on the roster, many people wondered what management would do.
In the end, Danny Jansen and Gabriel Moreno were traded to make room for Alejandro Kirk on the roster.
Would the team have been better off keeping Moreno, who was younger? In terms of potential, the answer is yes.
But at the same time, if there's one guy who isn't the Blue Jays' biggest problem, it's Kirk.
All this to say that as time goes on, Moreno is getting closer to free agency. This winter,

Are you one of the fans who's still upset about Chris Kreider's signing because of what he did to Carey Price?
At first, I was one of them, but I quickly realized that he's here to help the team, and he'll be able to do so in many ways.
We need to stop dwelling on the past—it's been 12 years, after all.Fans at the Bell Centre are still booing Chris Kreider a decade after the Carey Price collision in the 2014 playoffsJoe Micheletti asks Sam Rosen if he wants to be the one to tell them to st

Finally, Zachary Bolduc has signed with the Montreal Canadiens.
Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the news.
The Habs forward will earn $4.2 million per season over four years.Zach Bolduc 4 x $4.2M
Montreal
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 13, 2026After yesterday's big signing of Chris Kreider, the Habs are following up with more good news today.
The situation had been dragging on for far too long, and with the season fast approaching, we were all wondering what was goin

Carlos Correa underwent surgery last May to repair a tendon in his left ankle. At the time, everyone thought the injury would end his 2026 season.
The 31-year-old, however, had other plans and has made enough progress to hope for a return to the field by the end of this season. Correa has been spending time at the Astros' facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he has been practicing at the plate, in the field, and on the running trails.
And when Correa officially returns to the Houston Astr

The Montreal Canadiens scored a home run yesterday by signing veteran Chris Kreider to a very reasonable contract.
I was the first to have mixed feelings about the signing: yes, it's an excellent addition on paper, but it's too easy to dwell on the past.
But you have to move on, as they say. It's been 12 years since that happened, and Price is technically no longer with the organization. In any case, Price doesn't hold a grudge against Kreider.
Let's focus on the positive side instead: A talente

Everyone agrees that signing Kreider was a really smart move by the Montreal Canadiens' front office.
It's a great acquisition, as Kreider will bring exactly what the second line was missing last season: physicality and scoring ability to support Ivan Demidov.
Of course, by taking a spot in the top six of the lineup, some forwards will be pushed down the order, including one who will have to settle for the role of 13th forward.
It's clear that this forward will be unhappy, but at least he'll be

On August 3, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired right-handed pitcher Jose Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels. To do so, the Blue Jays had to part ways with outfielder Eddie Mitcheletti Jr. and pitcher Angel Rivero, but most notably with 20-year-old shortstop Arjun Nimmala.
The Toronto team thus traded away its second-best prospect (ranked in the MLB's top 50) to acquire Soriano, a 27-year-old starting pitcher under the team's control who is expected to stabilize the starting rotation for seasons to

Several National Hockey League teams were in action yesterday, with a number of rookie games taking place between various teams.
The Montreal Canadiens' rookies lost 3–1 to the Winnipeg Jets' rookies.
And in the other teams' games, one specific event caught everyone's attention.
This event took place during the game between the San Jose Sharks' rookies and the Los Angeles Kings' rookies, where fans got to see the 7-foot-1 giant, Alexander Karmanov, in action.
For those who don't know him,

The Montreal Canadiens pulled off a real masterstroke yesterday by acquiring a tough, experienced, and talented top-six forward in exchange for nothing but cash.
In fact, Kent Hughes and his team didn't give up anything to sign Kreider, as no prospects or draft picks were traded to acquire the 35-year-old forward.
On top of that, the deal is based on an excellent one-year contract worth $2.15 million, with the potential for $3.125 million in bonuses.
The Habs have thus added the ideal physical t

By driving in three runs yesterday against the Baltimore Orioles, Alejandro Kirk helped his team close the gap once again on the Cleveland Guardians in the race for the playoffs. As of this morning, the gap between the two teams stands at just one game.
The Jays' catcher's significant contribution to his team's 7-3 victory has given hope to the Toronto team's many fans. In the third inning, the Mexican slugger hit his tenth home run of the season off Orioles starter Kyle Bradish. This set the to

Signing Chris Kreider is truly a masterstroke by Kent Hughes and his team, as the physical forward is exactly what the Montreal Canadiens' top-six lineup was missing.
And fans have clearly recognized that this is an ideal addition, with the majority of people welcoming the news warmly and putting the 2014 Kreider–Price incident behind them.
So everyone seems very enthusiastic and excited to see the 35-year-old veteran join the Habs.
We can all obviously see Kreider playing alongside Ivan D