Josh Anderson Extension: Canadiens Winger Wants to Stay

Josh Anderson wants to stay in Montreal for the long haul.

TSN’s Darren Dreger said Thursday on Insider Trading that Anderson has told Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes he wants to sign a long-term extension. The two met before the season started, and Dreger expects negotiations to begin “sooner rather than later.”

Dreger explained what Anderson made clear in that meeting:

“Josh Anderson made it abundantly clear as a designated leader that he wants to stay long term in Montreal,” Dreger said.

Hughes has another job to finish first. Dreger said Montreal has been actively trying to add a forward by trade, and that has been the priority. Detroit’s Dylan Larkin remains a trade topic, but TSN reports he expanded his approved list to 10 teams and Montreal still isn’t on it.

Dreger also pointed to one possible complication. Anderson is represented by Darren Ferris, an agent who Dreger said “likes to march his top clients as close to July 1st or past July 1st as he can.”

“That is not the plan of the Canadiens and it sounds like Anderson wants to stay,” Dreger said.

Anderson is 32 and in the final year of a seven-year, $38.5 million contract that carries a $5.5 million cap hit. He signed it on Oct. 8, 2020, two days after Montreal acquired him from Columbus for Max Domi and a third-round pick.

He is making his case on the ice. Anderson scored in Tuesday’s shootout win over Buffalo, then added two more Wednesday in the 5-4 loss at Washington, with Alex Newhook assisting on both. Watch the Sabres goal:

That followed a strong start in the season opener against Toronto, where he scored the Canadiens’ first goal of the year. Check out that one:

Anderson was also named an alternate captain last month, so the leadership role Dreger mentioned is official. He scored 14 goals in 72 games last season.

Montreal sits at 3-3-1 and faces Buffalo again on Saturday night.