The Montreal Canadiens aren’t just knocking on the door anymore - they’re looking to blow it off the hinges.
After breaking out of their rebuild with a playoff appearance last season, the Habs are making it clear they’re not satisfied with just being part of the postseason conversation. Heading into the Olympic break at 32-17-8 and sitting third in the Eastern Conference, Montreal looks like a team ready to make a serious run. And if general manager Kent Hughes has his way, the Canadiens might be adding another major piece before the March 6 trade deadline.
Let’s be clear: this is no longer a team just trying to find its footing. This is a group that believes it can win now - and the moves Hughes has made over the past year back that up.
The offseason saw Montreal bring in center Zachary Bolduc and defenseman Noah Dobson, two high-upside players from the Blues and Islanders, respectively. Then came midseason additions Alexandre Texier and Phillip Danault, giving the forward corps more depth and versatility.
But Hughes might not be done just yet.
With the Olympic roster freeze lifting on February 22, the Canadiens are reportedly eyeing a top-line winger to ride shotgun with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. That trio could give Montreal a legitimate top line to rival any in the league - and the name surfacing again in connection with the Habs is Jordan Kyrou.
Yes, that Jordan Kyrou - the speedy, skilled winger out of Toronto who’s currently skating for the St. Louis Blues.
The Canadiens were linked to Kyrou last offseason, but nothing materialized. Now, with the Blues slipping further out of the Western Conference playoff picture, the door might be open for a deal.
And if Montreal can present the right package, Kyrou could be convinced to waive his no-trade clause to join one of the league’s most storied franchises.
So, what would it take to bring him to Quebec?
Here’s a hypothetical trade that could work for both sides:
Montreal receives:
- Jordan Kyrou (F)
St. Louis receives:
- Patrik Laine (F)
- Jayden Struble (D)
- 2026 first-round pick
Let’s unpack this.
Kyrou carries an $8.125 million cap hit through the 2030-31 season, so Montreal would need to shed some salary to make the numbers work. That’s where Patrik Laine comes in.
His time in Montreal has been rocky, and with his $8.7 million deal set to expire this summer, he’s a logical piece to move. Laine is expected to be dealt before the deadline anyway, and while his cap hit is steep, the Blues could be willing to take it on - especially if they’re getting additional assets in return.
Enter Jayden Struble and a first-round pick.
Struble, a 2019 second-rounder, has been solid in a third-pairing role this season. He’s young, mobile, and on a reasonable contract - exactly the kind of player a team like St.
Louis, with an aging blue line, should be looking to acquire. With veterans like Cam Fowler (34), Justin Faulk (33), and Colton Parayko (32) anchoring the back end, injecting some youth into the mix makes sense.
Struble could step in and contribute right away while continuing to develop.
And while giving up a first-round pick is never easy, Montreal is in a position where it makes sense. The Habs are having a strong season, so the pick likely won’t land in the top half of the draft. Plus, they have multiple selections in 2026, giving them some flexibility to make a move like this without mortgaging the future.
On the Canadiens’ end, this deal would be all about maximizing their current window. Kyrou, despite a down year statistically (13 goals and 32 points in 47 games), still has the kind of offensive ceiling that makes him a game-changer.
He’s hit 70 points three times in the last five seasons, including a 36-goal, 70-point campaign in 2024-25. Put him on a line with Suzuki and Caufield - two players who thrive in transition and love to push the pace - and you’ve got the makings of a dynamic, high-scoring trio.
Just imagine the Canadiens rolling out a top six that features Suzuki, Caufield, and Kyrou on one line, with the red-hot rookie trio of Juraj Slafkovsky, Oliver Kapanen, and Ivan Demidov on the other. That’s a nightmare for opposing defenses - and a dream scenario for a franchise that’s been building toward this moment.
From St. Louis’ perspective, this would be a clear step toward a retool.
They’d be moving out a long-term contract in Kyrou, adding a potential bounce-back candidate in Laine (who could be flipped again or re-signed at a lower number), a promising young defenseman in Struble, and a valuable first-round pick. With young talent like Jimmy Snuggerud already making an impact (24 points in 45 games), the Blues could be positioning themselves for a quicker turnaround.
Bottom line: this is the kind of move that could push Montreal from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender. The pieces are already in place - strong goaltending, a deep blue line, and two lines that can score. Now it’s about adding that final spark.
If Jordan Kyrou is available, and if the Canadiens are serious about making a deep run this spring, this is the kind of bold, calculated move that could change everything.