Canadiens Add Defenceman Reilly Walsh from the KHL
Not every NHL signing is about finding the next star. Sometimes, teams are simply looking for players who give them options. That appears to be what the Montreal Canadiens are doing by adding defenceman Reilly Walsh.
The Canadiens signed Walsh to a one-year, two-way contract, bringing in a player who has spent the past several years building his game in the AHL and overseas. On the surface, the move won’t grab headlines, but Walsh is an interesting player because his biggest strength has always been his offensive ability from the blue line.
Walsh spent the year in the KHL and had a strong scoring season.
Last season with Barys Astana in the KHL, Walsh put up 16 goals and 46 points in 68 games. Those are impressive numbers for a defenceman and show what he can bring when given the opportunity to play a larger offensive role. Before heading overseas, Walsh spent most of his time in the American Hockey League. In 2024-25 with the Ontario Reign, he recorded six goals and 32 points in 70 games. That kind of production tells you exactly what type of player he is: a defenceman who can move the puck, contribute offensively, and help create offence from the back end.
The challenge, of course, is that getting offence from a defenceman is only part of the equation. The NHL game demands more. Teams need defencemen who can defend against top competition, handle pressure, and make the right decisions when the game speeds up. That is where Walsh will have to prove himself if he wants to earn a regular NHL role.
Related: The Canadiens May Be Winners of the Carlsson Offer Sheet.
When he comes to Montreal, he’ll be part of a group of other offensive blueliners.
The Canadiens already have some talented, offensive-minded defencemen ahead of him on the depth chart, including Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson. That means Walsh’s path to power-play chances will be difficult. Those roles are usually reserved for the players who have already established themselves.
But that doesn’t mean this signing doesn’t matter. Training camp is about creating competition, and Walsh gives Montreal another player who has experience, confidence with the puck, and the ability to contribute offensively. Injuries happen every season, and teams that survive those moments are usually the ones with players ready to step in. For Walsh, this is another chance to show that his game can translate back to the NHL level.
Walsh brings some well-honed skills to Montreal.
At 27 years old, he isn’t a young prospect still discovering his game. He knows what he is. He’s an offensive defenceman who has produced wherever he has played. Now the question is whether he can convince the Canadiens that he can bring enough all-around value to earn a larger role.
It may not be the biggest signing of Montreal’s offseason, but sometimes those are the moves that quietly provide teams with the depth they need when the season gets rolling.