Canadiens sign St. Louis to extension as expectations rise ahead of new season

SPORTS Canadiens sign St. Louis to extension as expectations rise ahead of new season By Alessia Simona Maratta & Brayden Jagger Haines Global News Posted September 14, 2026 5:34 pm Updated September 14, 2026 9:59 pm 3 min read Watch: Montreal Canadiens host annual golf tournament LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE The Montreal Canadiens ensured the architect of their resurgence will remain behind the bench for years to come Monday, signing head coach Martin St. Louis to a multi-year contract extension as the club unofficially opened its season Monday at its annual golf tournament in Laval-sur-le-Lac, Que. St. Louis, who was entering the final year of his contract, is now signed through the 2029-30 season, providing stability for a team that has emerged from a rebuild and enters the new season with heightened expectations following last spring’s run to the Eastern Conference final. “I love what I do, and if they give me the vote of confidence that, ‘Martin, you’re the guy,’ I’ll continue,” St. Louis told reporters on Monday. “My heart is in the right place, and I love being the coach of the Canadiens.” The extension was the headline announcement on a day that traditionally marks the unofficial start of hockey season in Montreal, with players, coaches and executives meeting the media before taking to the golf course. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT View image in full screen Montreal Canadiens’ Chris Kreider speaks to media during the team’s annual golf tournament, in Laval, Que., on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov It also capped a busy stretch for the Canadiens, who made headlines over the weekend by signing veteran winger Chris Kreider to a one-year contract worth up to a reported US$5.4 million with bonuses to join the Original Six franchise. “Pretty amazing, pretty iconic logo,” Kreider said as he walked to the podium with the Canadiens’ crest stitched on his chest at the team’s season-opening golf tournament. The move brought one of Montreal’s longtime antagonists to the other side of the rivalry. Kreider spent much of his career hearing boos at the Bell Centre as a member of the New York Rangers, but arrived at Monday’s event wearing the Canadiens logo for the first time. View image in full screen Montreal Canadiens’ Chris Kreider speaks to media during the…