The Starr & D'Amico Show

Big changes are coming to the NHL on September 16, and while this isn't an entirely new Collective Bargaining Agreement, several important contract rules are changing. Those changes could have a major impact on how teams build their rosters for years to come.In this episode of The Starr & D'Amico Show, we break down the biggest contract changes coming to the NHL, including shorter maximum contract lengths and new restrictions on signing bonuses. Teams will no longer be able to hand out eight-year contracts to their own players, while unrestricted free agents will no longer be eligible for seven-year deals. The new limits will be seven years for players re-signing with their current teams and six years for players signing with a new club.We'll also examine the NHL's new restrictions on signing bonuses. Under the updated rules, signing bonuses will be capped at 60% of the total value of a contract, changing how teams structure long-term deals and reducing the heavily front-loaded contracts we've become accustomed to seeing across the league.What does this mean for the Montreal Canadiens?Could these changes actually work in Kent Hughes' favor? Montreal has built its roster around young, controllable talent and long-term salary cap flexibility. We'll discuss whether the Canadiens' current approach puts them in a stronger position than some of the league's biggest spenders.Join us live as we break down the latest NHL contract changes and debate whether these new rules will help or hurt the Canadiens moving forward.#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

The Montreal Canadiens have assembled one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, but how do they actually rank?In today's episode of The Starr & D'Amico Show, we're revealing our brand-new Top 10 Canadiens prospect rankings and breaking down where players like Michael Hage, David Reinbacher, Jacob Fowler, and several other rising stars fit into the organization's future.Who deserves the No. 1 spot? Has Michael Hage done enough to climb the rankings? Is David Reinbacher still the Canadiens' top defensive prospect? Where does elite goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler fit into the conversation?We'll debate skill, upside, NHL readiness, long-term potential, and which prospects could become impact players for the Montreal Canadiens over the next several seasons.Do you agree with our rankings? Let us know your Top 10 Canadiens prospects in the comments below.Subscribe to The Starr & D'Amico Show for the latest Montreal Canadiens news, NHL analysis, prospect updates, trade rumors, breaking news, and LIVE postgame coverage.#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

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 timeCould 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

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 forwardIs 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

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 developmentSubscribe for Montreal Canadiens news, rumours, trades, prospect coverage and analysis throughout the season.#montrealcanadiens #nhl #hockey

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

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 successIf 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

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