Early in the season, the Canadiens and Lane Hutson's camp finally agreed to contract terms.
But Hutson wasn't the only one to become a compensated free agent at the end of the season.
Kirby Duck and Zachary Bolduc will be like that too. As for Dach, there has been radio silence regarding the contract and Renaud Lavoie gave us an update on the Bolduc case this evening during the third period of the Montreal-Utah game.
No contract negotiations have begun between the two camps, the source said.
The Quebecers got off to a great start to the season, scoring three goals in as many games, but things have gotten a little tougher since then.
Zach Bolduc has scored 3 goals in 3 games since the start of the Habs season:
– 1 goal
– 1 gear
– 11 games
– 12:39 minutes per game pic.twitter.com/MvgrbkWBIz– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) November 7, 2025
We all knew Bolduc wasn't going to sign the eight-year, $64 million contract, but Bolduc hasn't been much involved lately. Then Kent Hughes has the luxury of waiting. In any case, he is an RFA, not a UFA.
At the moment, Bolduc is not in a position to start negotiations.
Against New Jersey last Thursday, he was the Habs' least-used forward.
But considering he was traded for Logan Maia, arguably the worst player in the NHL right now, that's some consolation. I believe the Quebecers are a great third-line player for a champion club, and a contract like Alex Newhook is entirely possible.
Extension
Speaking of Newhook who scored a great goal todayif he continues to play with Ivan Demidov and plays like this, then he will get a good increase in salary. He is currently earning $2.9 million per season through 2027.
He will become a restricted free agent at the same time as Demidov, in 2027. The Montreal organization is in for a big summer. Chance to increase the limit.
