The Montreal Canadiens have signed winger Sasha Pastujov to a one-year, two-way contract valued at $850,000. Previously a restricted free agent, Pastujov was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks after they exchanged him for a fourth-round pick. He had a strong last season in the AHL, achieving career highs with 21 goals and 36 assists in 71 games. Under this contract, he will earn $105,000 while in the AHL, but his salary is not guaranteed. The Canadiens' offseason was relatively quiet apart from this acquisition and a notable trade involving Brendan Gallagher.

By the Numbers
  • Sasha Pastujov had 21 goals and 36 assists for 57 points in 71 games in the 2025-26 AHL season.
  • His contract comes with an $850,000 cap hit, which is the league minimum salary for the 2026-27 season.
State of Play
  • The Canadiens currently have $9,783,924 in cap space after signing Pastujov.
  • They recently traded Brendan Gallagher and extended contracts for key players like Kirby Dach and Ivan Demidov.
What's Next

Expect the Canadiens to evaluate Pastujov's performance closely in the upcoming season, potentially determining his long-term role on the team based on his development and contributions in the AHL or NHL.

Bottom Line

The signing of Sasha Pastujov adds depth to the Canadiens' roster and reflects the team's strategy of bolstering their prospects while managing salary cap flexibility for future moves.