The Habs added some more depth on Friday, announcing the signing of centre Nick Cousins to a one-year, one-way contract worth $1 million. Meanwhile, three of Montreal’s restricted free agents filed for arbitration.

Upgrading the left side of the defence was a key item on Marc Bergevin’s to-do list this summer. He took a step towards doing so with the signing of Ben Chiarot to a three-year, $10.5 million contract.

Before the opening of free agency, the Habs made a pair of trades as Andrew Shaw and Nicolas Deslauriers were dealt to Chicago and Anaheim respectively. Our writers have pondered the moves and offer up their opinions on the swap.

While it should come as no surprise, the Hurricanes put an end to any suspense when they announced on Tuesday that they will match the five-year, $42.27 million offer sheet that the Habs tendered to Sebastian Aho.

It has been a while since we’ve seen an offer sheet but the Habs have changed this. They announced that Sebastian Aho has signed a five-year, $42.27 million offer sheet. Carolina has seven days to match.

Before the draft, Marc Bergevin indicated that they’d be taking a look at free agency for backup goaltenders. He found someone he liked as the Habs have signed Keith Kinkaid to a one-year, $1.75 million contract.

The Habs have cleared out some more forward depth as they have shipped winger Nicolas Deslauriers to Anaheim. Montreal acquires Anaheim’s fourth-round pick in 2020 in return.

Andrew Shaw is on his way back to where it all began. The Habs have dealt him along with a 2021 seventh-round pick to Chicago in exchange for a trio of draft picks.

While Montreal already has plenty of forwards under contract for next season, there are quite a few options available in free agency that could boost their roster.

The Habs need to upgrade on the back end. That much is a given. However, there aren’t many players available on the open market that would actually qualify as an upgrade.