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?

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🔔 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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