The Canadiens have a sixth defenseman problem.
The top five on the depth chart are no slouches: Noah Dobson, Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Alexandre Carrier, and Kaiden Guhle. But the rotation between Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble will have to stop, especially if the habs want to go far in the playoffs.
Eric Engels said on the Sick Podcast that he doesn’t think Montreal will be in the market for a sixth defenseman, though.
.@EricEngels: “I don’t think the Canadiens are going on the market looking for a sixth defenseman.”#GoHabsGo #thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro pic.twitter.com/E8juspMHh8
— The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) February 4, 2026
On the other hand, Renaud Lavoie linked defenseman Luke Schenn, the habs’ opponent tonight, to the club.
Schenn is a big right-handed guy, a very good defensive defenseman and, unlike Xhekaj and Struble, he can eat up minutes, especially in the playoffs.
You need defensemen like that in the spring tournament.
He’s not the type to rack up 15 points in a playoff series, but he’s capable of shutting down the best opposing players. From 2019 to 2021, he won two Stanley Cups with the Lightning.
Luke Schenn, a coveted player who could be coming to Montreal? Information from @RLavoieTVA: https://t.co/FL4HzjlPzf
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) February 5, 2026
The best part is that he won’t cost an arm and a leg. I think a third-round pick is the most a GM will pay for his services.
Lavoie, who is aware that the right-hander will be in demand, asked him what he knows about the Habs. Schenn replied, “A lot of good things.”
The 36-year-old defenseman, who was drafted fifth overall by the Leafs in 2008, is in the final year of a three-year, $2.75 million-per-year contract with the Jets.
In any case, if Kent Hughes is interested, he’ll have a front-row seat to see him in action today.
Overtime
– Rumors coming out of Edmonton.
Elliotte Friedman: Someone said to me they kinda wondered if Brandon Carlo might be an Edmonton target; then someone else said to me he doesn’t think the Oilers were…gonna do anything with their D – Real Kyper & Bourne (2/2)
— NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) February 5, 2026
– Artemi Panarin almost went to Carolina.
Elliotte Friedman: Re Artemi Panarin: There was a wild rumor last night that he was going to Carolina; a lot of people heard it; but I think what happened was there was a lot of leverage playing going on – NHL Now (2/4)
— NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) February 5, 2026
– Players want to see a club in Quebec City again.
Nick Cousins is a perfectly capable winger for the Ottawa Senators. He’s had a very respectable career in the NHL.
And it seems that everybody hates him.
Cousins stole Brad Marchand’s title for the league’s worst chirps in The Athletic’s anonymous player poll. pic.twitter.com/juQeZY3HSB
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 4, 2026
– Oh yeah?
Calvillo to call plays this season for Alouettes https://t.co/JfJf6c2Nt0
— TSN 690 Montreal (@TSN690) February 5, 2026
– I want it.
Attention Expos fans. https://t.co/DlLfdNsXeN
— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) February 5, 2026
