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Montreal Canadiens News

The New York Rangers have signed Alex Belzile to a two-year, two-way contract worth $1.55 million ($775,000 AAV).

Bezile had six goals, eight assists, 40 SOG, and 13 PIMs through 31 games with Montreal in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, two-way contract worth $1.55 million ($775,000 AAV) with the New York Rangers. The 31-year-old right-winger scored all six of his career goals last season but has nine assists as well through 45 career NHL games.

Alex Belzile
The Canadiens signed David Reinbacher to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Canadiens drafted Reinbacher No.5 overall in this summer's NHL draft, making him the first defenseman off the board. The 18-year-old had 22 points (3G / 19A) in 46 games with Kloten HC of the National League (Switzerland). He also represented Austria in the 2022 and 2023 World Juniors, posting four assists in nine combined games.

David Reinbacher
The Oilers signed Noel Hoefenmayer to a one-year entry-level contract worth $845,000.

Hoedenmaker had 11 goals, 27 assists, 114 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through 65 games with Toronto (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, entry-level contract worth $845,000 with the Edmonton Oilers. The 24-year-old undrafted defensemen has yet to make his NHL debut but has slowly risen through the leagues after a strong season in the ECHL with Newfoundland in 2021-22.

Noel Hoefenmayer
The Predators signed Alexandre Carrier to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million.

Carrier had two goals, seven assists, 48 SOG and 27 PIMs across 43 games played in 2022-23 with Nashville and has signed a one-year contract extension worth $2.5 million. The 26-year-old defenseman will be entering his sixth season in Nashville, having picking up six goals and 42 points across 144 career games.

Alexandre Carrier
The Canadiens have acquired Alex Newhook from the Avalanche for a 2023 first-round pick (No.31 overall), a 2023 second-round pick (No.37 overall) and Gianni Fairbrother.

Newhook was the No.16 overall pick in 2019 and has tallied 66 points (27G / 39A) in 159 career NHL games since turning pro in 2021. Most recently, he had 30 points (14G / 16A) in 82 games, averaging 13:57 ATOI. He should play a larger role with the Canadiens and could play more on the wing, similar to what Montreal did with Kirby Dach in 2023.

Alex Newhook
The Canadiens have signed Cole Caufield to an eight-year contract extension worth $62.8 million ($7.85M AAV).

Caufield was limited to just 46 games during the 2022-23 season but set a career-best with 26 goals while adding 10 assists (36 points). The new deal makes Caufield the second-highest-paid skater in Montreal, behind Nick Suzuki ($7.875M AAV).

Cole Caufield
Lucas Condotta has been recalled from Laval (AHL) on an emergency basis and is expected to make his NHL debut Thursday.

Condotta had 16 goals, 14 assists, 61 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 71 games with the Laval Rocket (AHL) and has been recalled to Montreal on an emergency basis and is expected to make his NHL debut Thursday. The 25-year-old joined the Canadiens as an undrafted free agent in 2021-22 after finishing school at UMass-Lowell (NCAA).

Lucas Condotta
Kaapo Kahkonen will start Wednesday vs. Calgary.

Kahkonen allowed four goals on 19 shots (.789 SV%) for his 12th loss in 13 games as he was handed the loss by the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday. The 26-year-old has had a historically bad season in 2022-23, with his 9-19-7 record, 3.90 GAA and .879 SV%. He takes on the Calgary Flames, who have lost three of their last four games but are second in the NHL in shots per game (35.8).

Kaapo Kahkonen
Montembeault will start Wednesday against the Islanders.

Montembeault allowed seven goals on 46 shots (.848 SV%) for his third loss in four games as he was defeated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in his previous start. The 26-year-old has been the better of the two Canadien goaltenders this season, with his 16-17-3 record, 3.36 GAA and .904 SV%. He takes on the New York Islanders, who have won four of their last seven contests and are 23rd in the NHL in goals per game (2.94).

Sam Montembeault
Kaapo Kahkonen will start Thursday vs. Colorado.

Kahkonen allowed four goals on 42 shots (.905 SV%) for his 11th loss in 12 games as he was handed the overtime defeat by the Colorado Avalanche last game. The 26-year-old has been horrendous this season, with his 9-18-7 record, 3.83 GAA and .881 SV%. He takes on the Colorado Avalanche, who have won five of their last six games after a 4-3 overtime win over San Jose on Tuesday.

Kaapo Kahkonen
Samuel Montembeault will start Thursday vs. Washington.

Montembeault stopped 47 of 50 shots (.940 SV%) for his second-straight loss as he was defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes in his previous start. The 26-year-old has been the better of the two Montreal goaltenders this season, with his 15-16-3 record, 3.29 GAA and .906 SV%. He will take on the Washington Capitals, who have lost four straight and are 20th in the NHL in goals (3.09).

Sam Montembeault
Kaapo Kahkonen will start Tuesday vs. Colorado.

Kahkonen allowed two goals on 31 shots (.935 SV%) to snap a 10-game losing streak as he beat the Arizona Coyotes in his previous start. The 26-year-old has had a horrendous 2022-23 season, with his 9-18-6 record, 3.83 GAA and .880 SV%. He will take on the Colorado Avalanche, who have won four of their last five games and are seventh in the NHL in shots per game (33.3).

Kaapo Kahkonen
Dach will miss at least one week with an upper-body injury.

Dach has 14 goals, 24 assists, 107 SOG, 43 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through 58 games this season but will now miss at least a week due to an upper-body injury. The 22-year-old has battled injuries all season and will hope to be back in the shortest amount of time as he is having a breakout season in his first year in Montreal.

Kirby Dach