The Montreal Canadiens have not made much noise on the move front this summer, but that could still change before the season gets going. If they decide the top six needs another skilled winger, the trade market may be the place to find one.
Free agency does not offer much help at this point, which is why Pittsburgh stands out as a team worth watching. The Penguins have two wingers who fit what Montreal could use: Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell.
Rust would bring plenty to the table right away. The 34-year-old is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, and he just turned in another productive season with Pittsburgh.
In 72 games last season, he scored 29 goals and added 36 assists for 65 points. That followed a 2024-25 campaign in which he put up 31 goals and 65 points in 71 games.
For a Canadiens team looking to strengthen its top six, those are the kind of numbers that get attention.
Rakell is just as appealing for a different reason. He finished last season with 24 goals and 48 points in 60 games, and the year before that he was even more dangerous, producing 35 goals and 70 points in 81 games for the Penguins. He also has the ability to play both wings, which only adds to his value for Montreal.
Neither player would be a short-term fix. Rust carries a $5.125 million cap hit through the 2027-28 season, while Rakell is signed at a $5 million cap hit through 2027-28. Those are manageable numbers for the kind of production they bring, and that makes both Penguins wingers worth a serious look if the Canadiens want to make a real upgrade before opening night.
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