The Canadian finds himself with a surplus of defenders and has started cleaning up. There are now two fewer names on the organization chart: Johnathan Kovacevic and Mattias Norlinder.
The Habs traded Kovacevic to the New Jersey Devils for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft.
Without completely resolving its personnel surplus on defense, the Habs parted ways with a player who seemed to fit less and less into the organization’s plans.
Last season, he was left out 20 times, mostly in the second half of the campaign, in favor of younger defenders like Justin Barron, Jordan Harris and Jayden Struble.
In early April, head coach Martin St-Louis said it had become difficult for Kovacevic to break into the lineup, at a time when others had “separated” themselves from the pack. Overall, his average ice time was down one minute from the previous season.
The Ontarian, who will soon be 27 years old, played two seasons in Montreal, after starting his professional career in the Winnipeg Jets organization.
Although he had success offensively in the American League, it was mainly a defensive role that was entrusted to him with the Habs. When he was in uniform, he was systematically used shorthanded.
He has one year left on his contract. He could become an unrestricted free agent in July 2025.
No offer for Norlinder, new agent for Xhekaj
The Canadian also announced that it had submitted qualifying offers to defenders Justin Barron and Arber Xhekaj, which is essentially an administrative formality to retain their rights, while waiting for their next contract to be signed.
Barron and Xhekaj will indeed become restricted free agents on Monday. Negotiations will therefore continue with the two rears, who do not have the right to arbitration.
The two rearguards had a similar path last season, in that they both had to take a break with the Laval Rocket. Xhekaj was assigned to them in early December before returning to the NHL on January 23. The day before, Barron had been assigned to them, before being recalled in early April. Barron ended up playing 48 games with the Habs, compared to 44 for Xhekaj.
There is, however, a development in the Xhekaj case. The colossus defender is changing agents and will now be represented by Brian and Scott Bartlett. Xhekaj was previously represented by New Yorker Viktor Saljanin.
Note that Xhekaj is currently recovering from surgery on his left shoulder. In April, however, he assured that he will be ready for training camp.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Mattias Norlinder, during the Reds vs Whites match in 2023
Without much surprise, today’s announcements mean that this is the end of Norlinder’s adventure with the Canadian.
Norlinder, along with fellow Swedes Lias Andersson and Filip Cederqvist, did not receive a qualifying offer. The Habs are therefore giving up their rights to these three players, who become unrestricted free agents. All three played for the Laval Rocket last season and did not play any games with the Canadiens.
Andersson had already signed a contract in Biel, Switzerland, for next season, while Cederqvist has a deal in his pocket to play in Frolunda, in his native Sweden.
As for Norlinder, his departure was becoming predictable, with the surplus of defenders in the organization. Last season, this defenseman supposedly with offensive instincts was limited to 9 points in 50 games.
Norlinder was drafted at 3e round (64e in total) by Montreal in 2019.