3 Canadiens PTO Targets Ahead of the 2026-27 season – The Hockey Writers – Montreal Canadiens

With training camp just a few weeks away, most NHL rosters are close to being finalized. That doesn’t mean teams are done adding players. Every year, several veterans and NHL depth players earn professional tryout (PTO) contracts in hopes of securing a roster spot before opening night.

The Montreal Canadiens have enough roster depth that they don’t need to make any major additions, but inviting a few experienced players to camp could create healthy competition while giving the organization some insurance if injuries strike. Here are three players who could make sense on PTOs this fall.

Mike Reilly

Canadiens fans are already familiar with Mike Reilly, who spent parts of three seasons in Montreal between 2017 and 2020. Although he never established himself as a long-term fixture on the blue line, Reilly proved he could handle NHL minutes while moving the puck effectively.

Since leaving Montreal, the veteran defenseman has bounced around the league, spending time with the Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes. Everywhere he’s gone, he’s filled a similar role as a dependable depth defenseman capable of stepping into the lineup when needed. That is exactly what the Canadiens could use heading into camp.

Montreal’s top six appears fairly well set with Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Alexandre Carrier, Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble expected to battle for regular ice time, while players such as David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom are also competing for NHL jobs. Even so, injuries are inevitable over an 82-game season.

A PTO for Reilly would carry virtually no risk. If he earns a contract, Montreal gets an experienced seventh defenseman who already knows the organization. If younger players clearly outperform him, the Canadiens can simply move on before the regular season begins.

Adam Henrique

One thing the Canadiens lost this summer was some NHL experience among their depth forwards. Adam Henrique could help fill that void.

The veteran centre has played well over 1,000 NHL games and has built a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable two-way forwards. While his offensive production isn’t what it once was, Henrique remains capable of winning faceoffs, killing penalties and playing responsible hockey in a bottom-six role. In many ways, he could fill the type of role Joe Veleno occupied for Montreal last season.

Henrique would also provide valuable insurance down the middle. Nick Suzuki and Phillip Danault are expected to handle the toughest assignments, while Jake Evans, Oliver Kapanen and Kirby Dach can all play centre as well. Still, having another experienced option available during camp never hurts.

Beyond what he could contribute on the ice, Henrique would also bring leadership to one of the NHL’s youngest teams. Montreal has built a roster full of talented young players, and veterans who know how to prepare every day can have a significant impact behind the scenes.

Pavol Regenda

The 26-year-old winger has spent the past several seasons moving between the NHL and American Hockey League while trying to establish himself as a full-time NHL player. Last season, Pavol Regenda appeared in 24 NHL games with the San Jose Sharks, scoring nine goals and adding an assist while bringing a physical style of play.

At 6-foot-3, Regenda offers good size, plays a straightforward north-south game and isn’t afraid to battle along the boards. Those are qualities every NHL team looks for in depth forwards. He also fits what the Canadiens typically value in their bottom six. Martin St. Louis has emphasized work ethic, forechecking and defensive responsibility, all areas where Regenda has shown promise throughout his professional career.

Like the other names on this list, bringing Regenda to camp on a PTO would involve almost no risk while potentially uncovering a useful contributor.

Professional tryout contracts rarely make headlines, but they often produce valuable depth pieces over the course of a long season. The Canadiens may already have most of their roster in place, but adding competition before training camp is never a bad thing. If one of these players earns a contract, Montreal could quietly strengthen its organizational depth without sacrificing cap space or future assets.