Habs News: Montreal Canadiens, NHL, Mike Hoffman, Michael McNiven, Mike Condon, Michael Pezzetta, Tomas Tatar, NHLPA

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | MONTREAL, QC. — This is your one-stop destination every week day for your Canadiens news capsule. Here are your Habs Headlines!

Mike Hoffman

It was the first day at the Bell Centre for newly-signed forward Mike Hoffman. The 31-year-old sniper checked out the Canadiens dressing room and tried on his No. 68 sweater.

Salary arbitration date for McNiven

On Thursday, the NHLPA released the hearing dates for players who are scheduled to have Salary Arbitration cases. Nineteen restricted free agents in total elected for salary arbitration but three of those players, including Victor Mete, settled with their team before the hearing date.

The hearing date for Canadiens goaltender Michael McNiven is August 11th. Settlements can happen between the player and the team at any time prior to the hearing date.

Salary cap boost

According to a report by Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, the NHL salary cap is expected to increase by $1 million next season. The cap has been fixed at $81.5 million for three straight years.

Seravalli says that the salary cap will be pegged at $82.5M in 2022-23, rising by one million each year through 2025-26. That is the date when the $1.3 billion escrow bill owed by the players will be paid off.

Coach Condon

Former Canadiens goaltender Mike Condon has been named volunteer assistant coach (goaltending) for Northeastern University’s men’s hockey program.

Condon played 55 games for the Canadiens during the 2015-16 season with a 2.71 goals against average and a .903 save percentage.

Canadiens prospects Jordan Harris and Jayden Struble both play defence for the Northeastern Huskies.

Pezzetta signs extension

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Michael Pezzetta to a one-year, two-way contract extension. The deal will pay Pezzetta $750,000 if he plays in the NHL and $82,500 when playing with the Laval Rocket in the AHL.

The 23-year-old Pezzetta skated with the Laval Rocket in 2020-’21 recording two goals, three assists for five points in 20 games.

Tatar is a Devil

Former Canadiens winger Tomas Tatar signed a two-year contract with the New Jersey Devils worth $4.5 million per season. The 30-year-old unrestricted free agent skated with the Montreal Canadiens in 2020-’21 recording 10 goals, 20 assists for 30 points in 50 games.

https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1423340525076291587

Canadiens Connection podcast

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