Canadiens, Bruins Prepare Significant Roster Changes Ahead 2025-26 NHL Season

The upcoming NHL offseason will be critical for teams like the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens as they aim to address roster weaknesses and accelerate their rebuilds. The Bruins are targeting veteran free agents such as Brock Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers to bolster their top-six scoring, seeking to retool rather than rebuild extensively. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are focusing on strategic team-building, emphasizing the need to add a second-line left-shot center, veteran right-shot defensemen, and increased toughness, with general manager Kent Hughes highlighting measured roster improvements over indiscriminate asset accumulation. Montreal is also considering more aggressive tactics such as submitting offer sheets for promising restricted free agents like Matthew Knies to capitalize on salary cap pressures faced by rival teams. Additionally, the Canadiens face decisions on re-signing key unrestricted free agents like Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia, while some players like Michael Pezzetta may not be retained. The development of prospects and performance in the AHL playoffs will also influence Montreal's future NHL roster construction.