The Montreal Canadiens are shaping up to be one of the more active teams ahead of the March 6 trade deadline, and it’s not just about Patrik Laine. While his departure seems inevitable once the roster freeze lifts-thanks to a hefty cap hit and a lineup that doesn’t have room for him-Laine might only be the first domino to fall. Montreal has several other players who could be on the move if the right offer comes along.
Let’s take a closer look at three names that could be in play-and why their situations matter as the Canadiens navigate a pivotal stretch in their rebuild.
Samuel Montembeault: From Breakout to Uncertain Future
Samuel Montembeault came into this season with momentum and expectations. After a strong campaign last year-highlighted by four shutouts and a career-best 2.82 goals-against average across 60 starts-he looked like a goaltender ready to solidify his place as a long-term piece in Montreal’s crease.
But this year has been a different story.
Montembeault’s save percentage has dipped to .875, and his GAA has climbed to 3.34. That’s a steep drop-off, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
In December, the Canadiens sent him to Laval on a conditioning stint, hoping to help him reset. Since then, Montreal has started to explore other options, giving extended looks to prospects Jacob Fowler and Jakub Dobes.
Dobes, in particular, has started to emerge as the frontrunner for the starting job.
If the Canadiens decide to bring in a veteran netminder to stabilize the position or promote Fowler full-time, Montembeault becomes the odd man out. The return in a trade might not be significant, but for Montreal, this might be more about clearing the path than cashing in. Sometimes, creating space on the depth chart is the real win.
Arber Xhekaj: Physicality Without a Clear Role
There’s no denying Arber Xhekaj’s presence on the ice. He leads the team with 135 hits and brings a physical edge that’s hard to ignore. But as the season has worn on, his role has started to shrink.
Xhekaj has been in and out of the lineup in recent weeks, and when he has played, his minutes have been limited-logging 10 or fewer minutes in six of his last eight appearances before the Olympic break. That’s not the kind of usage that suggests long-term trust from the coaching staff.
With Martin St. Louis needing dependable, consistent contributors on the blue line, Xhekaj’s future in Montreal looks murky.
At 25, he still has upside, especially for a team in a rebuild that’s looking to add size and edge on the back end. For the Canadiens, moving him could be about reallocating minutes to players who better fit the system-or who have a clearer developmental trajectory.
Kirby Dach: A Surprising Trade Chip?
Kirby Dach’s name might raise some eyebrows here, but don’t be too quick to dismiss the logic. The 2019 third-overall pick has battled injuries, but he’s shown flashes of the player many believed he could become. Just before the Olympic break, Dach was heating up-posting points in four straight games and totaling five over that stretch.
The timing is interesting, because Dach is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season. If the Canadiens aren’t sold on committing to a long-term deal, this could be the moment to explore his trade value-especially if they’re eyeing a bigger move involving a player like Jordan Kyrou or Nazem Kadri.
Dach still has upside, and his recent play suggests he’s trending in the right direction. But if Montreal is looking to reshape its core or accelerate the rebuild with a more established piece, including Dach in a package could be the ticket.
Final Thoughts
The Canadiens are at a crossroads. With Laine’s exit looming and the trade deadline approaching, this is a team that could look very different in a few weeks. Whether it’s clearing cap space, reshuffling the depth chart, or making a bold swing for a high-impact player, Montreal has options-and they’re not afraid to explore them.
Montembeault, Xhekaj, and Dach might not all be moved, but they represent different layers of the Canadiens' strategy: creating flexibility, managing development, and maximizing asset value. And as the deadline draws closer, keep an eye on how Montreal chooses to thread that needle.