The Canadiens finally checked off one big box this weekend when they landed Chris Kreider, but the move doesn’t close the book on Kent Hughes’ summer work. If anything, it sharpens the next question: who should Montreal chase now?
Kirill Marchenko is the flashy name that fits plenty of the Canadiens’ needs. He’s 26, still climbing into his prime, and has 81 goals over the past three seasons.
He also brings a physical edge and more size, which is exactly the kind of ingredient Montreal could have used against the Carolina Hurricanes. But the Columbus Blue Jackets have been reluctant to move him, and that reality matters.
If Columbus changes course, Hughes should listen. Still, Marchenko may not be the most realistic path forward.
The better fit right now is Ryan O’Reilly.
Kreider gives Montreal a proven top-six winger, but it doesn’t really solve the issue that sits at the heart of the lineup: the second-line center spot. For the moment, the Canadiens might be able to make do with Oliver Kapanen or Kirby Dach there, especially now that they’ve added a reliable winger.
But the long-term picture complicates everything, because any move they make now can’t block Michael Hage. The top prospect has returned to Michigan, but he’s expected to be in Montreal by the end of the regular season.
That’s why O’Reilly makes so much sense and a name like Dylan Larkin does not. O’Reilly is much closer to the finish line than the start, but he still brings real production. He put up 74 points this past season with the Nashville Predators, and unlike a bigger swing, he wouldn’t be a long-term roadblock for Hage.
The contract situation is the other reason Montreal should be looking in this direction. O’Reilly is in the final year of his deal, which makes him a short-term answer rather than a permanent fixture. That gives the Canadiens a second-line center for this season and keeps Hage’s path clean when he’s ready to make the jump.
Of course, the price has to make sense. Nashville recently moved Luke Evangelista, but it’s tough to picture the Predators taking only draft picks for O’Reilly. They have veterans like Steven Stamkos who want a shot to win, so they may want more than future assets.
A package built around Oliver Kapanen and a draft pick - even a first-rounder - could be the kind of deal Montreal should be willing to put on the table. It gives Nashville a player who can help now and still brings future value.
For the Canadiens, that kind of move would add another top-six piece without shutting the door on Kirill Marchenko next summer. It’s the sort of fit that lines up cleanly on paper, and it’s hard to argue with the logic behind it. Kent Hughes should be looking at it sooner rather than later.
In Other News...
Canadiens Should Be Watching Kirill Marchenko Very Closely
Kirill Marchenko is suddenly a name worth monitoring around the league, and for the Canadiens it is the kind of situation that can shift quickly if Columbus decides to take calls. Marchenko was productive last season with 67 points and carries a $3.85 million cap hit, making him the sort of forward who would draw attention from teams looking for help without having to tear up the rest of the roster.
The uncertainty comes from the Blue Jackets own internal picture, which has been a little hazy of late. Marchenko missed a recent team golf event, though he has since arrived in Columbus, and Rick Bowness has not exactly painted a detailed picture of where things stand. Don Waddell has also left the door open to movement by saying he is willing to listen on players, so this is one of those situations Montreal will want to keep an eye on rather than wait to hear about after the fact. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Just Put Arber Xhekaj At Center Of A Big Camp Battle
The Canadiens have settled one piece of their blue-line picture by bringing back Arber Xhekaj on a one-year, $1.5 million contract after his restricted free agency lingered through most of the summer. The short-term deal gives both sides some flexibility, and it also keeps the 24-year-old in the middle of the conversation as Montreal sorts out its defense depth heading into camp.
Xhekaj has already built a resume of 230 games over four seasons with the Canadiens, and his physical style has made him a recognizable part of the mix when Montreal wants more edge on the back end. Now the real issue is how he fits into the opening-night picture, with a regular role still to be earned and the camp competition expected to be wide open. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Players Make One Thing Clear About Martin St. Louis
The Canadiens decision to extend Martin St. Louis through the 2029-30 season only formalized what has been building for a while in Montreal. Under his leadership, the club has steadily climbed, turning incremental progress into playoff appearances and better point totals, and the players around him have been quick to note how much his coaching has mattered.
Nick Suzuki and Chris Kreider have both been among the strongest voices backing St. Louis, pointing to his teaching ability and obvious passion for the game. Kreiders respect for him goes back even before St. Louis arrived in Montreal, while Suzuki has made it clear the coach has earned a level of trust in the room that is hard to miss, which makes the long-term commitment feel as much like a reflection of the players as the front office. [Read more 🡒]