Canadiens Expected to Re-Sign Josh Anderson at Lower Salary, Insider Says
Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is expected to re-sign winger Josh Anderson to a cheaper multi-year deal, NHL insider Marco D'Amico said. Anderson's $38.5 million contract expires this summer, and he has told Hughes he wants to stay.
Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is expected to re-sign winger Josh Anderson to a multi-year extension at a lower salary, NHL insider Marco D'Amico said on his podcast. Anderson is due to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
It is the top contract question facing the Canadiens, who are otherwise in a strong spot. Hughes has been widely praised for keeping his core of young players together on mostly team-friendly deals.
Final year of a $38.5 million deal
Anderson, an alternate captain, is in the last season of a seven-year, $38.5 million contract. That works out to $5.5 million a year against the salary cap.
D'Amico does not expect a raise. "I don't think he's making more than he's making now in a new deal," he said. "Not with Kent Hughes. I wouldn't see it happening, unless something magical happens."
He described Hughes and Canadiens executive Jeff Gorton as "very methodical" in negotiations. D'Amico suggested the club may offer more years in exchange for less money. Ideally, he said, Montreal would sign Anderson for two years, but it might go to three or four if the annual figure falls to $4 million.
"He's such a heart-and-soul player that I don't think Josh Anderson's focus is money here," D'Amico said. "He wants the Cup."
Anderson wants to stay
NHL insider Darren Dreger reported in October that Anderson wants to remain in Montreal. Dreger said Anderson and Hughes met before the season began.
"Josh Anderson made it abundantly clear as a designated leader that he wants to stay long term in Montreal," Dreger said.
On the open market, Anderson would likely earn at least $5 million a year. He has seven goals and three assists in 17 games this season. He now plays in the bottom six, the lower forward lines, but has remained valuable to the team.
D'Amico also urged patience. Montreal faced a similar situation with forward Jake Evans, who started the 2024-25 season fast and had been eyeing a much bigger deal. Hughes waited, and Evans signed a four-year, $11.4 million extension worth $2.85 million a year.
More contracts to settle
Anderson is not the only player approaching free agency. Montreal has five pending unrestricted free agents and five restricted free agents.
Hughes and the Canadiens will also look to give goaltender Jacob Fowler a long-term extension before he becomes a restricted free agent in 2028.
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