The Montreal Canadiens are in a much stronger spot this season than they were a year ago. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to stand pat.
In fact, their improved position might actually crank up the urgency ahead of the trade deadline. And one name that keeps surfacing in those conversations?
Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues.
According to recent chatter around the league, Montreal has been keeping a close eye on Kyrou, and it’s not hard to see why. While the Canadiens have been exploring the idea of adding another center, the rise of Oliver Kapanen has helped ease that need. The Finnish forward’s development has been a pleasant surprise, giving Montreal some flexibility with how they approach the deadline.
That shifts the focus to the top line-specifically, finding the right piece to slot in alongside Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. That’s where Kyrou enters the picture.
He’s got the kind of offensive skill set that could complement the Canadiens’ top duo beautifully. Fast, creative, and with a proven nose for the net, Kyrou has the tools to elevate that line to another level.
Now, let’s talk fit. On paper, Kyrou makes a ton of sense.
He’s not far removed from back-to-back 30-goal seasons and brings the kind of dynamic scoring touch Montreal could use more of. Yes, his numbers are down this season-13 goals and 19 assists-but that likely says more about the Blues’ overall struggles than any drop-off in his own game.
At 27 years old, he’s still right in the heart of his prime and would slot in nicely with the Canadiens’ emerging core.
But here’s where things get tricky: the contract. Kyrou’s deal runs five more years beyond this season, carrying an $8.125 million cap hit annually.
That’s a hefty number, and for Montreal to make it work, they’d almost certainly need to move out a significant salary. Someone like Patrik Laine could be a logical candidate to help balance the books-though any such move would come with its own set of challenges.
And even if the Canadiens can make the financials work, there’s still the matter of Kyrou’s no-movement clause, which kicked in at the start of this season. That gives him full control over whether he wants to be traded-and where.
That could explain why Montreal has reportedly circled back to St. Louis multiple times in recent months.
It’s not just about finding the right deal-it’s about getting the player on board, too.
Still, if Kyrou is open to a move, this could be the kind of swing that pushes Montreal into the next tier of Eastern Conference contenders. The Canadiens have built a promising foundation, but adding a top-line winger with Kyrou’s skill set could be the piece that ties it all together. It’s a bold move-but one that might just be worth making.