Canadiens Free Agent Signing Is Having A Good Start With Laval

During this off-season, the Montreal Canadiens quietly signed defenseman Reilly Walsh to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 campaign.

The Canadiens signing Walsh was after he posted 16 goals, 30 assists, and 46 points in 68 KHL games with Barys Astana during this past season. Now, the Massachusetts native is off to a strong start in the AHL with the Laval Rocket.

In Laval's Oct. 3 matchup against the Syracuse Crunch, Walsh scored a goal and recorded four points. With this, he is leaving a strong first impression with the Rocket right now. 

Walsh has shown throughout his career that he can be an effective offensive defenseman at the AHL level. In 306 career AHL games over six seasons, he has posted 39 goals, 124 assists, and 163 points. Now, he is having early success with Laval and will be looking to keep it up. 

Walsh has one game of NHL experience, which was during the 2021-22 season with the New Jersey Devils. In his lone NHL appearance, the right-shot defenseman recorded an assist. 

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if Walsh can continue to produce offense for Laval. If he does, he could end up being a key part of their blueline this season.