Sasha Pastujov signs one-year deal with Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens aren't wasting any time getting their newest forward under contract. Sasha Pastujov, acquired from the Anaheim Ducks on July 27 in a trade that sent Sean Farrell the other way, has agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way deal for the 2026-27 season.

PuckPedia broke down the numbers on the deal: $850K at the NHL level, $105K if he's in the minors, with $135K guaranteed no matter where he plays. His agent is Wade Arnott.

PuckPedia

@PuckPedia

The #GoHabsGo signed recently acquired 23 y/o F Sasha Pastujov to a one year two-way contract NHL: $850K Minors: $105K Guaranteed: $135K Rep'd by Wade Arnott @wadearnott t.co/3balPf56Ek

It's a low-risk, prove-it structure, which makes sense given where Pastujov's game is at right now. The 23-year-old just wrapped a monster AHL season with the San Diego Gulls, putting up 57 points on 21 goals and 36 assists across 71 games in 2025-26, good enough to lead his team in points and assists. Since turning pro in 2023-24, he's racked up 48 goals and 77 assists in 160 AHL games, and he's got international pedigree too, having represented Team USA at the 2022 World Junior Championship.

For a Canadiens organization that's been leaning hard into its prospect pipeline the last couple seasons, adding a forward with legitimate scoring touch on a cheap, flexible deal is an easy call. Pastujov doesn't have to be an immediate NHL fixture — the two-way structure gives Montreal the option to stash him in Laval and let him keep developing, or call him up if the middle six needs a jolt.

The bigger picture here is what it says about how the Canadiens are operating this offseason: trade for young, productive talent, then move fast to get them signed before arbitration or offer-sheet drama can complicate things. Pastujov becomes the latest piece in a forward group that's steadily gotten deeper and younger under GM Kent Hughes, and training camp will be the first real look at where he actually fits.