The Montreal Canadiens' quest to bolster their center position hit a snag as Mason McTavish, a prime target, was traded to the St. Louis Blues.
The Canadiens had been eyeing McTavish since last offseason, hoping to bring the young center into their fold. However, the Anaheim Ducks opted to send McTavish to the Blues in exchange for the 15th and 29th overall picks in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
With the Canadiens bowing out of the McTavish race, they'll need to shift gears and find another way to strengthen their center lineup.
Now, let's talk about Shane Wright. The Canadiens faced a tough choice in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft between Juraj Slafkovsky and Shane Wright.
They chose Slafkovsky, a decision that has paid off so far. But with Wright not quite finding his groove in Seattle, Montreal might see an opportunity to snag him while his stock is low.
Wright's first full season with the Kraken in 2024-25 showed promise, with 19 goals and 25 assists over 79 games. However, his performance dipped in the 2025-26 season, tallying only 12 goals and 15 assists in 74 games.
Taking a chance on Wright could be risky, but pairing him with a talent like Ivan Demidov might just be the spark he needs.
Then there's the potential blockbuster move for Dylan Larkin. Trading for Larkin would be a bold, win-now maneuver for the Canadiens.
While Larkin reportedly prefers staying in the U.S., recent trades, like the Florida Panthers acquiring Brady Tkachuk, might open the door for Montreal. The prospect of joining fellow Americans Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield could be appealing.
Larkin would seamlessly fit into the Canadiens' style of play, which emphasizes speed, skill, and defensive responsibility. Slotting him into the second line alongside Demidov could give Montreal a formidable offensive duo.
However, pulling off a Larkin trade won't be a walk in the park. His no-trade clause is a significant hurdle, and Montreal wasn't on his original list of preferred destinations.
The Canadiens have the assets to make a deal happen, but the real question is whether they're prepared to make such a substantial investment for a player who'll turn 30 by the start of next season. Balancing the immediate benefits with the long-term implications will be crucial as the Canadiens weigh their options to enhance their roster.
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Canadiens May Have Added More Than Just Depth This Time
The Canadiens added a player in Brett Berard who looks like more than a simple organizational depth move. Marco D'Amicos evaluation paints him as a relentless skater whose smaller frame has never kept him from pushing play, and even with a down year behind him, he still carries the kind of profile that can matter in Montreals system.
Berards path now comes with a little more intrigue than the average trade pickup. The ceiling is still being sorted out, but the read is that he could settle in as a useful bottom-six NHL option or become a dependable presence in Laval, which is the sort of internal competition the Canadiens have been trying to build as they sort out their next wave of contributors. [Read more 🡒]
Kent Hughes Just Sparked A Canadiens Draft Debate Fans Know Well
Kent Hughes has already given Canadiens fans something to chew on after talking about the clubs first-round draft pick and the kind of player Montreal believes it may have added. The general manager said the scouting staff sees Pugachyov as a versatile piece with strong hockey sense, the sort of prospect who can fit into different roles as his game develops.
The part that will keep the debate going is how that comparison is being framed, because Hughes made clear it was about style rather than a forecast of where the players career ends up. For a fan base that has spent years dissecting draft fits and identity picks, that distinction matters, even if it does little to quiet the conversation around what Montreal thinks it found. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Suddenly Have A Real Shot At A Star Winger
The Canadiens suddenly find themselves mentioned in a very different kind of star-winger conversation, one that speaks as much to the clubs changing reputation as it does to the player himself. According to Franois Gagnon, Jason Robertson would reportedly be open to landing in Montreal, a notable turn for a team that has spent years trying to rebuild its image around the league and make itself a more attractive destination.
Even so, the fit is hardly simple. Montreal is not believed to be eager to blow up its internal salary structure to make the deal work, and that could keep this from moving beyond intriguing speculation. For now, the story is less about a completed pursuit than it is about the Canadiens suddenly being credible enough to enter the conversation at all. [Read more 🡒]