The Montreal Canadiens are heading into the Olympic break with plenty to feel good about. Through 57 games, they’ve put together a 32-17-8 record and sit second in the Atlantic Division - a testament to their consistency and growing confidence as a group. Winners of six of their last nine, the Habs are firmly in the mix in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race, and they’re not just looking to hang on - they’re looking to level up.
Even with the NHL’s roster freeze in place until February 22, general manager Kent Hughes isn’t exactly kicking back. Behind the scenes, he’s reportedly working the phones, exploring ways to bolster the top line - specifically targeting a right winger to slot in alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
That top-line right wing spot has been a bit of a revolving door this season. Juraj Slafkovsky, who spent much of his young career riding shotgun with Suzuki and Caufield, has since found a new home on a line with Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen - and it’s working. The trio has clicked, bringing a blend of speed, skill, and youthful energy that’s giving opposing teams fits.
Kapanen, in particular, has been one of the season’s most pleasant surprises for Montreal. The 22-year-old rookie is on pace for 26 goals and 45 points, and his emergence has eased the team’s need to chase a top-six center. It’s a major development that’s allowed the front office to shift its focus to the wing.
In the meantime, Alexandre Texier and Zach Bolduc have been rotating in and out of that coveted top-line right wing role. While both have had their moments, neither has consistently produced at the level you’d want from someone flanking Suzuki and Caufield - both Texier and Bolduc are averaging under half a point per game. And with the Canadiens eyeing a deeper playoff run, it’s clear why an upgrade is on the radar.
One name that’s come up again: Jordan Kyrou. The Canadiens were linked to the St.
Louis Blues forward last season, and with the Blues slipping out of playoff contention, there’s a growing sense they could be sellers ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. Kyrou is a dynamic offensive talent - he’s topped 70 points in three of the last five seasons - and his speed and creativity would be a natural fit alongside Montreal’s top-line duo.
But there’s a catch: the cap hit. Kyrou carries an $8 million-plus price tag, and with Montreal projected to have just $1.5 million in cap space at the deadline, the math gets tricky.
He’s under contract through 2030-31, so this wouldn’t be a rental - it would be a long-term investment. If Hughes can find a way to make the finances work, Kyrou could be a game-changer.
One potential path to clearing space could involve moving Patrik Laine. The veteran winger, currently sidelined and carrying an $8.7 million cap hit, seems likely to be on the move before the deadline. But moving a big contract - especially one tied to a player with health concerns - is easier said than done.
Another option reportedly on Montreal’s radar: Blake Coleman of the Calgary Flames. He’s not the flashiest name, but Coleman plays a responsible two-way game, brings playoff experience, and could thrive next to high-end playmakers like Suzuki and Caufield. His contract runs through the end of the 2026-27 season, and while his offensive ceiling isn’t as high as Kyrou’s, his versatility and grit could give the Canadiens a different kind of boost.
Of course, there’s no guarantee a move gets made. The Canadiens’ offense has been clicking, and they’ve proven they can score in bunches. But with the East shaping up to be a dogfight down the stretch, adding one more weapon - especially on that top line - could be the difference between making noise in the playoffs and making a real run.
Kent Hughes has shown he’s not afraid to be aggressive when the moment calls for it. If the right opportunity presents itself before March 6, don’t be surprised if Montreal makes a splash.