The Starr & D'Amico Show

The NHL is entering a new financial era, and the Montreal Canadiens could be one of the biggest winners.

With the NHL salary cap expected to rise dramatically over the next several seasons, projections suggest the league could reach a cap ceiling of approximately $123 million by the 2028-29 season, a massive increase from the current structure. Official NHL and NHLPA projections already show the cap climbing to $113.5 million by 2027-28, and it may continue to rise beyond that. This changing landscape could completely reshape how teams build championship rosters.

In this episode of The Starr & D'Amico Show, we break down how NHL expansion, growing league revenues, and a rapidly increasing salary cap could create a major advantage for the Montreal Canadiens.

Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have spent years building a young core around players such as Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidov, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Kaiden Guhle. Many of those players are already signed to long-term contracts, potentially giving Montreal incredible financial flexibility just as the salary cap explodes.

Could the Canadiens be perfectly positioned to take advantage of the NHL's next economic boom?

We discuss:

• The projected rise in the NHL salary cap

• How NHL expansion could increase league revenues

• Why the Canadiens' contract structure is different from many NHL teams

• How Montreal could use additional cap space to pursue elite talent

• Why the Habs may be entering a championship window at exactly the right time

Could the Canadiens be building something that gives them a long-term competitive advantage?

Join the conversation and let us know what you think in the comments.

#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

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As the Habs head toward the 2026-27 NHL season, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton could have several potential trade partners worth watching. In this episode of The Starr & D’Amico Show, we break down four teams that could line up with what the Canadiens are trying to accomplish: the Seattle Kraken, Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets.

Which of these teams has a player who could fit Montreal’s needs? What could the Canadiens realistically be willing to give up? And could salary-cap pressure, roster decisions or a slow start to the season suddenly create an opportunity for Kent Hughes?

We break down the potential fits, what Montreal could be looking for, and why patience could ultimately work in the Habs’ favour as the NHL trade market develops.

🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:

• Potential Canadiens trade partners

• Seattle Kraken trade possibilities

• Calgary Flames players to watch

• Columbus Blue Jackets trade options

• Could Winnipeg and Montreal make a deal?

• Kent Hughes’ trade strategy

• What the Habs still need heading into the season

• Why the trade market could change quickly

Who do YOU think is the best trade partner for the Canadiens? Drop your trade proposal in the comments!

Subscribe for Montreal Canadiens news, Habs trade rumours, NHL analysis, prospects and breaking news throughout the 2026-27 season.

#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

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What’s going on with Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc — and why are the Montreal Canadiens taking their time getting their contract situations settled?

On this episode of The Starr & D’Amico Show, we break down the situations surrounding Xhekaj and Bolduc and why there may be absolutely no reason for Kent Hughes and the Canadiens to rush.

There’s a bigger salary-cap picture at play.

We look at how waiting can preserve cap flexibility for the Canadiens, what it could mean for potential roster moves, and why Montreal may want to keep as many options open as possible before locking everything into place.

Could Kent Hughes still be positioning himself for another move? How do Xhekaj and Bolduc fit into the Canadiens' long-term plans? And should Habs fans be concerned that things are taking this long — or is this simply smart cap management?

We break down:

🔵 The latest on Arber Xhekaj

🔴 Zachary Bolduc's situation

⚪ Why Kent Hughes can afford to wait

🔵 Montreal's current salary-cap flexibility

🔴 How another move could impact the contracts

⚪ What Xhekaj and Bolduc mean to the Habs going forward

Is Kent Hughes quietly keeping the door open for something bigger?

Subscribe to The Starr & D’Amico Show for Montreal Canadiens news, rumours, trades, salary-cap analysis and Habs prospect coverage.

#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

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What does the Montreal Canadiens’ decision to loan Vinzenz Rohrer to EV Zug REALLY mean for his future with the Habs?

The Canadiens have officially loaned Rohrer to EV Zug of Switzerland’s National League for the 2026-27 season, a surprising development for one of Montreal’s intriguing forward prospects.

On today’s Starr & D’Amico Show, we break down why the Canadiens may believe another season in Switzerland is the best path for Rohrer’s development, what kind of opportunity he could receive with EV Zug, and whether this changes his standing within Montreal’s prospect pool.

Rohrer remains under contract with the Canadiens organization through 2027-28 and can be recalled to North America, so this doesn’t necessarily close the door on his NHL future. The expectation is that a larger role in Switzerland could give him an opportunity to take another step in his development.

Is Rohrer still a legitimate part of the Canadiens’ future? Could he eventually earn an NHL roster spot, or does this move suggest his path to Montreal has become much more difficult?

We break it all down!

🔴 Montreal Canadiens news & analysis

🔵 Habs prospects and roster discussion

⚪ Vinzenz Rohrer’s future with Montreal

🔴 EV Zug and the Swiss National League

🔵 Canadiens prospect development

Subscribe for Montreal Canadiens news, rumours, trades, prospect coverage and analysis throughout the season.

#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

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The Montreal Canadiens are under increasing pressure to make a move—and the timing may never be better. In today's episode of The Starr & D'Amico Show, we break down the Canadiens' salary cap situation, why Kent Hughes has positioned the organization so well financially, and why the pressure to add another impact player is only getting stronger.

With the Habs carrying valuable cap flexibility this season and even more cap space projected for next summer, is the window opening for Montreal to make a blockbuster trade or major free-agent signing? We examine how long-term contracts for stars like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, and Ivan Demidov give the Canadiens one of the healthiest cap structures in the NHL.

Could the Canadiens be setting themselves up for a massive addition to push them into Stanley Cup contention? We discuss the opportunities, the risks, and why the next 12 months could define the future of this rebuild.

🔥 Join the conversation in the comments!

Do YOU think Kent Hughes should make a big move now or wait until next summer?

👍 Like the video if you enjoyed it.

🔔 Subscribe to The Starr & D'Amico Show for daily Montreal Canadiens news, trade rumors, breaking news, prospect updates, and live discussions all season long

#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

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The Montreal Canadiens continue to build one of the most intriguing young cores in the NHL, and they're doing something that almost no other NHL team is willing to do.

On today's episode of The Starr & D'Amico Show, we break down Macklin Celebrini's new 5-year, $94 million contract and compare it to the Canadiens' long-term salary cap philosophy. While other teams are handing out massive contracts early, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton appear committed to building around Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidov, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky with smart, sustainable, cap-friendly deals whenever possible.

Is Montreal creating a blueprint for long-term Stanley Cup contention? Could their patient approach allow them to stay competitive while keeping flexibility to add elite talent?

We discuss:

🏒 Macklin Celebrini's blockbuster extension

🏒 Why the Canadiens' salary cap strategy is different

🏒 Lane Hutson's future contract projection

🏒 Ivan Demidov's long-term value

🏒 Kent Hughes' roster-building philosophy

🏒 How Montreal could keep its young core together for years

🏒 Why the Habs may be setting themselves up for sustained success

If you're a Montreal Canadiens fan, subscribe for daily Habs news, NHL trade rumours, prospect updates, salary cap analysis, free agency coverage and live post-game shows.

Subscribe for more Montreal Canadiens news, NHL trade rumours, Lane Hutson updates, Ivan Demidov coverage, Kent Hughes analysis and everything Habs!

#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

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The latest Montreal Canadiens trade report is here, and we're breaking down everything you need to know!

On today's episode of The Starr & D'Amico Show, we unbox the newest trade speculation surrounding the Canadiens and the Columbus Blue Jackets. If Montreal can't land Kirill Marchenko, could dynamic young forward Kent Johnson become a realistic Plan B?

We also examine Columbus' salary cap situation and discuss whether other Blue Jackets players could become available as the organization looks to navigate a potential cap crunch. Could Kent Hughes find another opportunity to improve the Canadiens before the season begins?

🏒 Topics include:

Is Kent Johnson a realistic target for Montreal?

Would he fit Martin St. Louis' system?

What happens if the Marchenko pursuit falls through?

Which other Blue Jackets players could become trade candidates?

Could Columbus be forced to move talent because of the salary cap?

Join the conversation in the comments! Would you trade for Kent Johnson? If not, who should be Montreal's Plan B?

#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

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The Montreal Canadiens have plenty of unanswered questions as the offseason rolls on, and Kent Hughes still has important decisions to make.

On today's episode of The Starr & D'Amico Show, we break down the Canadiens' pursuit of a top-six winger and what that could mean for one of the organization's top prospects, Michael Hage. If Montreal adds another impact forward, does it strengthen the belief that Hage is being developed as the club's long-term second-line center behind Nick Suzuki?

We also dive into the Canadiens' long-term defensive blueprint. With Kaiden Guhle, David Reinbacher, Arber Xhekaj, Lane Hutson and a deep pipeline of young talent, how does Kent Hughes balance development, trades and roster construction? Is this group already set, or could a blockbuster move still be coming?

Join Shaun Starr and Marco D'Amico as they debate Montreal's biggest trade questions, discuss the organization's long-term vision, and look at what could be next for the Canadiens.

👍 Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications so you never miss another Habs update!

#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

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The Montreal Canadiens continue to be linked to Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko, and the latest report suggests a trade could happen sooner rather than later.

In today's episode of The Starr & D'Amico Show, Shaun Starr and Marco D'Amico break down the newest report connecting the Habs to Marchenko, what we're hearing about the trade market, why Kent Hughes remains interested, what a potential deal could cost Montreal, and whether Marchenko is the missing top-six winger the Canadiens have been searching for.

Could Ivan Demidov eventually play alongside Marchenko? Is this the blockbuster trade Canadiens fans have been waiting for? We discuss all the latest rumours, possible trade packages, and what this could mean for the Habs heading into the 2026-27 season.

Let us know in the comments:

Would you trade for Kirill Marchenko? If so, what would you be willing to give up?

#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

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The Atlantic Division might once again be the toughest division in the NHL—but is it even stronger than it was a year ago?

On today's episode of The Starr & D'Amico Show, we break down every team in the Atlantic Division and examine how the landscape has changed heading into the 2026-27 season.

🏒 Did the Florida Panthers get even stronger after another deep playoff run?

🍁 Are the Toronto Maple Leafs better, worse, or simply different?

⚡ Can the Tampa Bay Lightning stay among the NHL's elite?

🐻 Will the Boston Bruins bounce back?

🦬 Are the Buffalo Sabres finally ready to take the next step?

🪽 Can the Detroit Red Wings finally end their playoff drought?

🏛️ Are the Ottawa Senators ready to establish themselves as contenders?

Most importantly...

🔵🔴 Can the Montreal Canadiens build on last season's success? Have Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton done enough to improve the roster, or will the improving division make life even more difficult?

We rank every Atlantic Division team, discuss which clubs took a step forward, which teams may have regressed, and where we believe the Canadiens fit in the playoff picture.

👇 Let us know in the comments:

Is the Atlantic Division the toughest in hockey?

Which team improved the most this offseason?

Which team took the biggest step back?

Where do you think the Canadiens finish this season?

👍 If you enjoy Montreal Canadiens news, NHL analysis, trade talk, prospect coverage and daily discussions, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of The Starr & D'Amico Show!

#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

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