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Montreal Canadiens 3 Best Contracts for 2024-25

The Canadiens can't complain about their contract situation entering the 2024-25 season.

By Nate Duffett |
New York Islanders v Montreal Canadiens
New York Islanders v Montreal Canadiens / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages
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The Montreal Canadiens aren't too worried about their contracts in 2024-25 with their current situation. The Canadiens have nearly $8 million in cap space and don't look like they are acquiring any players despite rumors about Patrik Laine. They have no plans of competing for a playoff spot, so they don't need to keep space open for a trade deadline acquisition. (Although, that can change very quickly)

The Canadiens can look ahead at the upcoming years and see how some contracts will set them up as contenders. The long-term deals to Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky will look like steals when they are a contending team but don't have as much value right now. Let's look at some of the best contracts on the Canadiens this season.

Kaiden Guhle and Juraj Slafkovsky

Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens
Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages

It feels like we're cheating by adding these two players to the list, meaning we're grouping them as the long-term extension guys still on their entry-level deals. Slafkovsky's $7.6 million annual deal and Guhle's $5.5 million will kick in during the 2025-26 seasons.

If Slafkovsky continues to grow as a scoring forward, he will be among the most valuable players in the league. Slafkovsky tallied 50 points last season, which should increase with a full season alongside Suzuki and Caufield. The 2024-25 season could set up Slafkovsky's extension as one of the best value deals next season if he turns into a superstar.

Guhle's ascent to be one of the top defensemen on the Canadiens will have one more year of value. Once Guhle's extension kicks in, it'll be time for him to contribute his worth. The deal looks valuable a year before it starts and will improve as the years progress.

Alex Newhook

Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens
Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages

Finding a possible second-liner for $2.9 million per year isn't easy. The Canadiens would prefer if Alex Newhook eventually slides into a third-line role, but his salary still offers tremendous value. The Canadiens will pay the $2.9 million annual salary for three more years, which the Canadiens hope will be a catalyst to them being contenders by the 2026-27 season.

Newhook struggled to stay healthy last season but had a career year with 34 points in just 55 games. Considering he had 30 points in 82 games with Colorado the season before, Newhook could be in for a breakout year if he can play all 82 again.

Kirby Dach

Montreal Canadiens v Ottawa Senators
Montreal Canadiens v Ottawa Senators / Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photo/GettyImages

Despite all the injury concerns, people still hold on to hope that Kirby Dach will be the Canadiens' second-line center when they finally become a contender. Like Newhook, Dach had a career year in his first season with the Canadiens while only playing 58 games. He missed all but two games last season, but could also be in for a breakout if he plays close to 82.

The Canadiens pay Dach $3.4 million for the next two seasons, and it's difficult not to see the Canadiens surprising some people if Dach and Newhook remain healthy while making a little over $6 million combined.

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