After being acquired from Chicago earlier in the week (for Andre Burakovsky), Joe Veleno has been placed on unconditional waivers by Seattle for the purposes of a buyout. The 25-year-old forward is in the 2nd year of a 2-year, $4.55 million contract and will incur a hit of $2,275,000 AAV in the 2025-26 season.
Dobson was acquired from the Islanders in a sign-and-trade, so the Canadiens were able to lock him up to an eight-year deal and get a $5.5M AAV raise from his previous contract. Dobson is one of the NHL's best goal-scoring defensemen, having posted double-digit goals in four straight seasons. He ranks 14th among blueliners with 46 goals during that stretch. In Montreal, he'll have to battle with the likes of Lane Hutson for PP1 time, and his most likely path to that usage is if Montreal uses both of them on the same unit.
Dobson had a breakout 70-point campaign in 2023-24, but followed that up with just 39 points (10G / 29A) in 71 games last season. Some of that can be attributed to the Islanders' power-play dipping from 19th (20.4%) to 31st (12.6%), resulting in 12 fewer power-play assists. In Montreal, he'll be a huge minute eater, but a bounce-back fantasy season could be tougher to come by because of Lane Hutson. Obviously, they could end up together on the top PP unit, but he's now got significantly more competition for PP time, even if it wasn't always fruitful in New York.
Rohrer was a third-round pick of the Canadiens in 2022 and has won back-to-back National League Championships while playing with Zurich SC. In 2024-25, Rohrer had 15 goals and 10 assists (25 points) in 52 games and added five points (1G / 4A) in 16 playoff games.
Mathieu Joseph will draw back into the Blues' lineup on Friday for Game 6, sending Texier to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Texier has on point (0G / 1A) in three games this postseason. He had a -2 plus/minus in Game 5.
Carrier was limited to only 13:39 time-on-ice in Sunday's 5-2 Game 4 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the contest due to an undisclosed injury. The 28-year-old defenseman had two points (1G / 1A) and was averaging 22:00 time-on-ice in the three games before his injury.
Dobes was thrust into the Canadiens' crease midway through Game 3 after Samuel Montembeault suffered a lower-body injury and will remain there on Wednesday in a must-win Game 5. The 23-year-old Dobes was serviceable in his first career playoff start in Game 4, saving 21 of 24 shots (.875 SV%), but allowed a goal late in the third period en route to a 5-2 loss. The Canadiens are down 3-1 in the series and enter Game 5 as +160 road underdogs against the Washington Capitals.
Laine will miss a third consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old Laine played the first two games of the postseason, picking up one assist and a -2 plus/minus. He had 33 points (20G / 13A) in 52 games in his first season with the Canadiens.
Montembeault exited Game 3 midway through the second period due to a lower-body injury and will not play for a second consecutive game. Jakub Dobes was between the pipes for the Canadiens in Game 4 and will return to the crease for Game 5. Montembeault remains day-to-day but did not travel with the team to Washington.
Carrier was limited to only 13:39 time-on-ice in Sunday's 5-2 Game 4 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the contest due to an undisclosed injury. The 28-year-old defenseman had two points (1G / 1A) and was averaging 22:00 time-on-ice in the three games before his injury.
Carrier was limited to only 13:39 time-on-ice in Sunday's 5-2 Game 4 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the contest due to an undisclosed injury. The 28-year-old defenseman had two points (1G / 1A) and was averaging 22:00 time-on-ice in the three games before his injury.
Carrier was limited to only 13:39 time-on-ice in Sunday's 5-2 Game 4 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the contest due to an undisclosed injury. The 28-year-old defenseman had two points (1G / 1A) and was averaging 22:00 time-on-ice in the three games before his injury.
Montembeault appeared to suffer a lower-body injury about five minutes into the second period of Game 3. He attempted to continue playing but was removed from the game at the eight-minute mark and was unable to return. We should get an update on his status ahead of Game 4 on Sunday.
Struble will take a seat on Friday as the Habs are opting to shake up their lineup given the 2-0 series deficit. Arber Xhekaj will draw into the lineup in his place.
Xhekaj will slot in on Friday as the Habs look to add a more physical presence to their Game 3 lineup. Jayden Struble will sit in his place.
Kapanen will slot in for Patrik Laine, who was a surprise scratch due to an upper-body injury. Kapanen will skate with Joel Armia and Emil Heineman on the Habs' fourth line.
