The Montreal Canadiens are trying to do something they haven’t pulled off in a few years: make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. But as the calendar inches toward the trade deadline, they find themselves in a bit of a holding pattern. The Habs have dropped four of their last seven, and while that’s not a full-blown free fall, it’s enough to raise a few eyebrows in a tightly packed Eastern Conference race.
Naturally, that’s sparked some buzz about whether Montreal might look to shake things up on the trade market. But if you’re expecting a panic move from GM Kent Hughes, pump the brakes.
According to league chatter, the Canadiens are staying disciplined. Hughes has made it clear they’re going to be “prudent,” and that message is resonating across the league.
Insiders around the NHL are hearing the same thing: Montreal isn’t about to mortgage the future for a short-term boost. Yes, they want to make the playoffs - every team does - but they’re not going to lose sight of the big picture. This is still the youngest roster in the league, and the front office is playing the long game.
That doesn’t mean they’re standing still. The Canadiens have already made a move, bringing back a familiar face in center Phillip Danault.
It’s a smart, stabilizing addition, especially for a team looking to solidify its middle-six. But it’s not the kind of headline-grabbing splash that signals all-in desperation - and that’s by design.
There’s still interest in adding another forward, ideally someone who can slot into the top six. But again, any move would need to make sense beyond just this season. This is a front office that thinks creatively, and if a deal comes together, it’s likely to be a “hockey trade” - one that might surprise fans at first glance but fits into a broader, long-term vision.
Goaltending, though, remains a concern. The numbers don’t lie: Montreal ranks 24th in goals against per game and 28th in team save percentage.
That’s not the kind of back-end performance that wins playoff rounds, let alone gets you deep into spring hockey. But don’t expect the Canadiens to go shopping for a goalie before the deadline.
The market is thin, and there’s no true starter available who could step in and solve the problem overnight. For now, the solution has to come from within.
Despite the recent skid, the Canadiens are still very much in the mix. At 29-17-7, they’re tied for third in the Atlantic Division and currently holding onto a wild card spot. That’s a solid position as we head into the stretch run, especially for a team that’s still building toward something bigger.
Next up? A serious measuring-stick game.
The Habs will host the NHL’s top team, the Colorado Avalanche, on Thursday night. It’s a chance to test themselves against the league’s elite - and maybe remind everyone that while they’re not going all-in this year, they’re still a team to watch.