The Canadiens’ search for a fix at second-line center has already turned into one of the more interesting storylines around Montreal, and the latest name to surface is a big one out of Los Angeles.
With Ivan Demidov out injured, the Canadiens have had a harder time finding the right fit behind Nick Suzuki. Demidov’s presence had given that line a different shape, allowing the center to play a less demanding role.
Without him, Montreal has been forced to patch things together, and the results have been uneven. Alex Newhook has gotten the most looks, but Suzuki’s absence for the last two weeks has only made the depth issue more obvious.
The Canadiens have managed to keep winning, which has taken some of the pressure off in the short term. But the bigger picture is still there for Kent Hughes: one more injury or two, and the team could be in real trouble if the second-line center spot isn’t addressed soon.
That’s why the trade market matters so much right now. Shane Wright’s move to the Nashville Predators removed one young option, while Dylan Larkin’s decision to expand his no-trade list is still something Montreal is waiting on. Even so, another possibility may be opening up in the Western Conference, and it’s one the Canadiens have the assets to chase.
That player is Quinton Byfield.
The 24-year-old Kings center has not yet topped 55 points in a season, which has already cooled the idea of him as a true first-line centerpiece. The assumption in Los Angeles was that Anze Kopitar’s retirement would finally free Byfield to take off. Instead, in his first season as the team’s No. 1 center, he is on pace for 30 points, which would be the lowest full-season total of his career.
There’s another sign that tells you how the Kings are viewing him: winger Alex Laferriere is now on the top line. That alone says plenty about where Byfield stands in the organization’s plans.
Still, if Los Angeles decides a change is needed, Montreal would be in the mix. Marco D’Amico said on the Off the Market podcast:
""If Quinton Byfield becomes available, the Canadiens will definitely be interested. Will Kent Hughes be aggressive?
We’ll see. But interested?
Absolutely.""
That doesn’t mean Byfield is the cleanest solution. He comes with risk, and there’s no guarantee a fresh start would unlock the player the Kings hoped he’d become. But from Montreal’s perspective, he offers something Larkin may not: he wouldn’t require Michael Hage, which gives the Canadiens a little more protection if the move doesn’t pan out.
In Other News...
Phillip Danault Is Making This Canadiens Decision Much Harder
Phillip Danault has opened the season in a way that has complicated what looked like a straightforward Canadiens decision. With a teammate out of the lineup, his role has grown, and the added responsibility has only underscored how useful he remains to Montreal at a time when many expected this to be his last year in town.
The bigger question now is whether the Canadiens can afford to treat him like a short-term piece when his play is making a longer look harder to ignore. There has been speculation the club could revisit its plans, even as his trade value would not bring much back, which leaves Montreal weighing present value against whatever comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Found October Hope In One Rising Star And A New Twist In Net
October gave the Canadiens a few reasons to feel better about where theyre headed, and the biggest ones came from the familiar core and a young defenseman who kept pushing the pace. Nick Suzuki was driving the offense before injury cut into his month, while Lane Hutson continued to look like a major part of Montreals future by leading the blue line in scoring. For a team that spent the month sorting through uneven stretches, those two provided a steady reminder that the foundation is still there.
The other encouraging development came in goal, where Jacob Fowler made a strong first impression after being recalled from Laval. His arrival added a fresh layer to Montreals October story, giving the Canadiens a new look in net at a time when they needed one. The larger question now is how much of that momentum can carry forward, especially with the club still trying to turn promising individual performances into something more consistent as the season unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Keep Winning While Demidovs Absence Keeps Getting Murkier
Ivan Demidovs absence has become one of the quieter storylines around a Canadiens team that keeps finding ways to win without him. The young forward remains on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, and Montreal has not offered a recent update on where he stands, even as the calendar has moved past the original expected timeline for his return.
The uncertainty leaves the club in a familiar holding pattern: playing well, staying patient, and waiting for Demidov to work his way back into the picture. His earliest projected return is now set for Nov. 7, but for now the Canadiens are pressing on without one of their most closely watched players, and the lack of fresh information only adds to the intrigue around his recovery. [Read more 🡒]