The Montreal Canadiens have been active in trade chatter all season, and while much of the talk has centered on adding another center or a depth forward, the real need is clear: they need help on the blue line. Defensive depth is where this team can take a real step forward, especially if head coach Martin St. Louis continues to lean away from Arber Xhekaj in favor of Jayden Struble-who, frankly, has been struggling.
Xhekaj has shown enough to warrant a regular spot in the lineup, but there seems to be a disconnect between him and St. Louis.
Whether it’s a matter of trust or fit, the writing’s on the wall: if Xhekaj isn’t going to be part of the Canadiens’ plans down the stretch, then it’s time to look outside the organization for reinforcements. And with the trade deadline looming, the Canadiens have a couple of intriguing targets to consider.
Filip Hronek: A High-End Fit, But With a Price
One name that jumps off the page is Filip Hronek. The Vancouver Canucks have reportedly been open to discussions on just about every player on their roster, and Hronek is a player who could make a serious impact in Montreal.
Since being traded from Detroit to Vancouver, Hronek has developed into one of the more reliable two-way defensemen in the league. His chemistry with Quinn Hughes turned into one of the league’s better defensive pairings, and that’s exactly the kind of synergy the Canadiens could replicate. With Lane Hutson showing flashes of Hughes-like upside, plugging Hronek in on the right side would give Montreal a dynamic pairing that could drive play at both ends of the ice.
Hronek would be a massive upgrade over Struble, who’s currently occupying that role. But here’s the catch: the contract.
Hronek is locked in through 2032 with a $7.25 million cap hit. That’s a hefty commitment, especially for a Canadiens team that will soon need to pay key young pieces like Ivan Demidov, Oliver Kapanen, and Jacob Fowler.
From a purely hockey standpoint, Hronek fits like a glove. But financially?
That’s a tougher sell.
Justin Faulk: A Shorter-Term Solution With Veteran Upside
If the Canadiens are looking for a more manageable contract situation, Justin Faulk could be the answer. The St. Louis Blues are trending toward a retool around their younger core, and with the team sitting near the bottom of the standings, Faulk’s name is expected to be front and center in trade talks.
Faulk is enjoying a bit of a resurgence this season-he’s already scored 11 goals in 50 games, which is more than he had in the past two seasons combined. That kind of production from the back end is hard to ignore, especially for a Canadiens team that could use more offense from its defensemen.
He’s also only under contract for one more year beyond this season, making him a lower-risk acquisition from a cap perspective. But the challenge here isn’t the term-it’s the price.
According to reports, the Blues are looking for a Rasmus Andersson-type return. That’s a steep ask.
Andersson was moved for a first-round pick, a conditional second that could become another first, a roster player in Zach Whitecloud, and a prospect in Abram Wiebe.
That’s a lot to give up, especially for a 33-year-old defenseman. But if the Canadiens can negotiate the price down-and they should, considering Faulk is four years older than Andersson-he could be a valuable addition for a team looking to make noise in the postseason. Faulk brings a steady, veteran presence, and he’s capable of logging big minutes in all situations.
The Bottom Line
The Canadiens are at a crossroads. They’ve got a promising young core, a coach with a clear vision, and a fanbase hungry for a return to playoff relevance. But to make that leap, they need to shore up the blue line-especially if Xhekaj is on the outs.
Filip Hronek offers a long-term, high-upside solution, but comes with a significant financial commitment. Justin Faulk provides a more short-term, veteran option, but the acquisition cost could be steep.
Either way, the Canadiens have options. Now it’s just a matter of whether GM Kent Hughes wants to push his chips in before the March 6 deadline.
If he does, adding a right-shot defenseman could be the move that helps Montreal take that next step.