Byron had 98 goals, 208 points, 139 PIMs, and a +31 plus/minus through 12 NHL seasons and 521 games played and officially retired from the NHL on Tuesday. The 34-year-old left-winger last played for Montreal in 2021-22 and had four goals, seven points, and only 33 SOG through 27 games before missing the majority of the year due to reoccurring hip issues.
Walsh had nine goals, 32 assists, 40 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus through 71 games played with Utica (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 AAV with Boston. The 24-year-old defenseman was a 2017 3rd-round pick to New Jersey (81st overall) and one assist in his only NHL appearance back in 2021-22.
Newhook had 14 goals 16 assists, 116 SOG, and 22 PIMs across 82 games played with Colorado in 2022-23 and has signed a four-year, $11.6 million contract ($2,900,000 AAV) with Montreal. The 22-year-old's rights were acquired by Montreal for a pair of early round draft picks and a prospect earlier in the month. The American centre was the Avalanche's 2019 first-round pick (16th overall) and has 27 goals and 66 points across 159 career NHL games.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Walsh had nine goals, 32 assists, 40 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus through 71 games with the Utica Comets (AHL) in 2022-23 and has had his rights traded to Boston for Shane Bowers. The 24-year-old was New Jersey's 2017 third round pick (81st overall) and has played in one NHL game throughout his career.
Szuber was a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. The 20-year-old defenseman spent the 2023 season in Germany, posting 10 points (3G / 7A) in 46 games with Munich EHC (DEL).
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).
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).
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).
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).
