5 Former Canadiens Still Looking for New Homes in Free Agency

Over a month has passed since the NHL free agency period began, and most of the prominent names have already secured contracts for the upcoming 2026-27 season. However, a number of recognizable players remain available for teams aiming to bolster their roster depth before training camp.

This group includes several former Montreal Canadiens. Some were integral to the team for several seasons, while others had much shorter tenures. At this stage of the summer, significant contract demands are unlikely, but they could still offer value to the right club. Here are five ex-Canadiens currently unsigned in free agency.

Patrik Laine

Patrik Laine stands out as one of the most intriguing free agents. The former second-overall draft pick has consistently demonstrated the talent to be a formidable offensive threat. At his peak, Laine is among the league's most dangerous shooters, having previously achieved the 40-goal milestone.

Unfortunately, a combination of injuries and inconsistency has hindered his ability to consistently reach that level. His time in Montreal showcased both aspects of his game. There were periods where Laine's shot, particularly on the power play, could significantly impact a game. However, injuries and questions surrounding his five-on-five contributions also surfaced.

Teams are unlikely to make a substantial financial commitment to him at this point. Nevertheless, a one-year contract could be a sensible option. For a team in need of additional scoring and power-play assistance, Laine presents a relatively low-risk opportunity to acquire a player with genuine goal-scoring potential.

Jonathan Drouin

Jonathan Drouin's career has taken another interesting turn since his departure from Montreal. After his Canadiens tenure concluded, Drouin joined the Colorado Avalanche, experiencing some success alongside his former Halifax Mooseheads teammate Nathan MacKinnon. He then moved on from Colorado last summer to sign with the New York Islanders.

His time on Long Island was brief. Drouin was traded to the St. Louis Blues at the deadline, and his contract was subsequently bought out at the end of the season, returning him to the free-agent market. While Drouin is no longer the young forward Montreal acquired in 2017 with aspirations of developing him into a franchise offensive cornerstone, his skill and playmaking abilities could still make him an interesting depth addition. On an inexpensive, short-term deal, a team seeking secondary offense could offer the 31-year-old another chance. A reunion with Colorado is a distinct possibility.

Jeff Petry

Several years have passed since Jeff Petry was a key fixture on the Canadiens' blue line, yet the veteran defenseman continues to play in the NHL. Petry spent eight seasons with Montreal after being acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in 2015. In his prime, he was a legitimate top-four defenseman capable of contributing offensively while logging significant minutes.

While those days are behind him, his NHL career may not be over. Petry could still be an option for a team seeking an experienced right-handed defenseman to compete for a bottom-pairing role. If no deal materializes before training camp, Petry might also be an attractive candidate for a professional tryout (PTO).

Mike Reilly

Another former Canadiens defenseman still searching for a team is Mike Reilly. Reilly played a couple of seasons with the Canadiens between 2017 and 2020 and has since moved around the league as a useful depth defenseman.

That is likely the role he would aim to fill again in 2026-27. Reilly possesses puck-moving skills and can contribute offensively from the back end, making him an interesting choice as a sixth or seventh defenseman. He is not a player a team should expect to play significant minutes nightly, but having an experienced defenseman capable of stepping into the lineup during injury situations holds value over an 84-game season.

Evgenii Dadonov

Finally, there is Evgenii Dadonov. Dadonov's tenure in Montreal was short. He played 50 games for the Canadiens during the 2022-23 season before being traded to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Denis Gurianov.

Despite being well into his 30s, Dadonov has remained a valuable offensive depth player since leaving Montreal. He is not expected to drive a team's offense, but he brings considerable NHL experience and can still contribute in a bottom-six role. For a contender looking to add another experienced winger without significant expenditure, Dadonov could be worth considering.

Opportunities are becoming scarcer as the offseason progresses. Laine, Drouin, Petry, Reilly, and Dadonov may have to accept lesser roles and more modest contracts than they might have earlier in their careers, but all five could still offer something to an NHL team in 2026-27.