Phillip Danault enters new season with renewed confidence and Habs hype building

Phillip Danault arrives at Montreal Canadiens camp with a very different mindset from a year ago. After struggling to produce offensively on a Los Angeles Kings team that had its own scoring issues, a run to the Eastern Conference Final has helped him rediscover his confidence, as reported by La Presse. That postseason resurgence allows Danault to approach the new campaign believing he can again be a factor when the games matter most.

Crowded Habs camp, Guhle back on the ice and Beck’s mindset

Inside the organization, competition is intense. Executive Jeff Gorton has said the Canadiens are in the enviable position of having more NHL-ready players than available roster spots, putting pressure on veterans and prospects alike. The logjam means difficult choices for management and some probable demotions to Laval despite strong camps.

One of the young players in that mix, Owen Beck, told the Montreal Gazette that even a return to the AHL would not rattle him, saying it is not something that will diminish his confidence, which he feels he has built up since turning pro. On defence, the Canadiens received a key boost with Kaiden Guhle returning to practice on Friday, according to Radio-Canada, an encouraging step for a blue line expected to handle heavy minutes.

Behind the bench, head coach Martin St. Louis and his players are pleased with what new assistant Derek Lalonde has brought so far, notes the team’s official site. His arrival adds another experienced voice to a staff already focused on player development and a modern style of play.

High expectations in Montreal and future cap flexibility

Expectations around the Canadiens are rising quickly. The Journal de Montréal reports that some local journalists believe a Stanley Cup run could be in the cards as early as the 2026-27 season. Writers at NHL.com also see a scenario in which Montreal goes all the way, a sign that the club is no longer viewed strictly as a rebuilding team.

Financially, the environment could soon tilt further in the Canadiens’ favour. La Presse points out that major new contracts around the league are eating up large portions of team payrolls, even as the NHL’s salary cap climbs. With Sportsnet projecting the cap to reach $127.5 million in 2028-29, clubs that have locked in significant long-term money may find themselves constrained, while Montreal could preserve room to pursue an elite player other teams can no longer afford.

Around the league: Celebrini captaincy, injuries, signings and fines

Elsewhere in the NHL, Macklin Celebrini has been named captain of the San Jose Sharks, a major responsibility at a young stage of his career, per NHL.com. In Columbus, Kirill Marchenko’s hesitant response about his long-term future has sparked questions about how it fits with the Blue Jackets’ efforts to reshape their culture, according to Sportsnet.

Injury and roster news continues to roll in. Sportsnet reports that Filip Chytil has been placed on injured reserve with a shoulder issue. NHL.com highlights Brendan Gallagher and Luke Schenn as important veteran stabilizers on a young Vancouver Canucks team, which also added goaltender Leevi Merilainen on waivers. The Ottawa Senators acquired netminder Jonas Johansson from the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are aiming to end a recent string of first-round playoff exits.

Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov has signed a two-year extension with the Carolina Hurricanes, while the Calgary Flames brought in Alexander Nylander on a one-year deal as their coaching staff works to turn strong effort into more offence. Seattle Kraken defenceman Ville Ottavainen was fined for being the aggressor in an altercation with Calgary’s Brennan Othmann, NHL.com notes. On the international front, former IIHF president Luc Tardif has reflected on his tenure at the helm of the federation, closing a significant chapter in global hockey governance.