Montreal’s biggest need this offseason is clear. It’s time to commit to finding the team a second-line center. After Oliver Kapanen’s surprise rookie season and a strong postseason from Jake Evans, the Canadiens still have a clear gap to address. The only question is, do the Canadiens have the answer in-house, or is it time to push their chips to the middle and make a trade?
The Answer Isn’t in Montreal
On paper, Kapanen’s 22 goals this season make it seem as if he’s the solution. Although the production was there, it seemed more like a product of being able to play with the elite talent, Ivan Demidov. Kapanen struggled significantly when not playing alongside the Calder Trophy runner-up and even became a healthy scratch during the playoffs due to his lackluster play.
Another young player the Canadiens could turn to internally is Michael Hage. Hage was drafted in the first round of the 2024 NHL draft. After spending his next two seasons in the NCAA playing for the Michigan Wolverines, many expected Hage to join the Canadiens in their postseason push before the end of the regular season.
In a shocking twist, Montreal’s first-round pick decided to stay in school for his junior season. This handcuffs the Canadiens to make a decision they most likely didn’t want to. Now is the time to make a move and acquire a bona fide center.
Who’s Available?
Fortunately for the Habs, there are plenty of options out there this summer. While the free agent market isn’t loaded with centers, the trade market is as hot as ever. Three names should be at the top of Kent Hughes’ list to check in on. And if the price is right, he needs to pull the trigger to make Montreal an immediate Cup threat.
Dylan Larkin
Let’s start with the captain of the Detroit Red Wings. It recently came out that Larkin had requested a trade from the original six franchises in a shocking move that now has everyone wondering where he’ll end up.
While Larkin would be a great fit in Montreal, there are multiple reasons why the trade won’t happen. The first being that Larkin currently has a full no-trade clause in his contract. These restraints leave both the Red Wings and the Canadiens completely at Larkin’s will.
Why Larkin Fits
If Montreal does become an option, they need to make an immediate offer. Larkin and Suzuki instantly become one of the top one-two punches down the middle in the NHL. It gives the Habs a bona fide veteran center who has scored 30-plus goals in his last five seasons.
Being able to give Demidov a center with 800-plus games under his belt will not only boost his play but also take some of the burden off him of being the only driving force on that line. Despite 11 seasons in the league, Dylan Larkin has just one playoff appearance.
Still, Larkin is now an Olympic gold medalist and a solidified top-six NHLer. While he and Demidov make for quite the duo, it is still highly unlikely that we see Detroit move their captain to Montreal.
Mason McTavish
McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks presents an interesting option. He fits perfectly with the team’s young core and is already under contract for another five years. So why would the Ducks look to move on from a 23-year-old who’s already played 300 NHL games?
Well, to put it simply, inconsistency. On his best nights, Mason McTavish looks like a former third-overall pick; on others, he’s a liability. It even got to a point where McTavish was scratched during the Ducks’ playoff run.
He lacks the skating and defensive ability to be a long-term investment for any trade partner. And with a cap hit of seven million per season, he comes with a pretty hefty price tag, hoping he can grow into his potential.
Why McTavish Fits
If there’s one thing this management has shown in its moves, it is its willingness to bring in young, struggling talent. Martin St. Louis has built a league-wide reputation as a coach who connects with his players and gets the best out of them. So why not, for the right price, roll the dice with McTavish?
He has undeniable skill and has a knack for scoring goals in front of the net. A player with that type of game seems like an easy match with Demidov.
Nico Hischier
This is the name to me that pops the most. The Devils’ captain has a year left on his current deal, and while New Jersey is looking to extend him, the two may be too far apart on negotiations.
Hischier has only cracked the 80-point mark one time in his career. The $11-13 million per year potential price tag may seem like a lot for a guy who’s never been over a point per game in his career. But more than any of these other trade candidates, Hischier is a defensive force.
Is the Price Too Steep?
Of these three, it’ll cost the Habs the most to not only acquire Hischier but also pay him. Many of the deals Kent Hughes has given his stars already look like steals. So what does it say if Hughes proceeds to trade for Hischer and then sign him for around 12 million?
Currently, Montreal’s highest-paid player is Noah Dobson at $9.5 million per season. Perhaps that points to how the roster would handle the acquisition. Dobson wasn’t brought in to be a power-play quarterback, as he was with the Islanders. He was brought in to become a staple on the blueline and get the team closer to a cup.
Hischier falls into that category as well. He’s the missing piece whose game seems perfect to pair with Demidov’s. The salary cap will continue to go up, and with some of the great contracts Hughes has given out, he has room to spend.
Who’s the Best Option?
The answer is easy. If Hischier is available, the Canadiens have to be the first on the phone with the Devils for a trade. Montreal is projected to have $59 million in cap space, and even after Alex Newhook and Ivan Demidov take up a sizable portion, the team still has plenty of room to sign Nico Hischier.
All three players make Montreal better than before, but each comes with its own risks. With the Atlantic Division looking even more competitive next season than it was this year, it’s important for the Habs to continue to improve their roster. There’s also no guarantee that this many quality centers will be on the market again anytime soon.
The time to make a move is now. It’s time for the Canadiens to cash in on their accelerated rebuild and take the next step to become perennial contenders.
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