The lack of a reliable second-line center was among the reasons behind the Montreal Canadiens' recent elimination from the playoffs.
It's a priority Canadiens management must address during the off-season.
PuckPedia indicates the Canadiens have over $8.66 million in projected cap space for 2025-26 with 18 active roster players under contract. They can garner another $10.5 million in cap flexibility by placing permanently sidelined goaltender Carey Price on LTIR. They could also move Price's contract to a club trying to reach the salary-cap floor next season.
Either way, the Canadiens should have the cap room to add a second-line center. They have two picks in the first round of this year's draft (16th and 17th overall) and could dangle one of them packaged with a quality prospect, but don't expect them to part with a promising youngster, such as Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher, Jacob Fowler or Michael Hage.
The Hockey News’ Karine Hains observed that some Canadiens followers believe Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby might wish to end his playing career in Montreal because he grew up a Habs fan. However, she reminded readers that Crosby intends to retire as a Penguin and has given no indication he's changed his mind.
Sportsnet's Eric Engels also dismissed the Crosby-to-Montreal conjecture. Still, if the Penguins captain were available, he acknowledged that the Canadiens' cap space and depth in draft picks and prospects could give them an edge over other teams in the trade market.
It's difficult to gauge what the Penguins' asking price would be, but Engels believes it would be expensive, possibly including two first-rounders and two prospects.
Pat Hickey of The Montreal Gazette looked at free-agent options, suggesting they land a 30-something center to hold the fort until youngsters like Hage, Owen Beck or Jared Davidson are ready for prime time.
Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche, John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars and Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers are this summer's top potential UFA centers.
It wouldn't be surprising if all four re-sign with their current teams by July 1. Assuming they hit the market, a rebuilding club like the Canadiens might not be their preferred destination at this stage of their careers.
NHL Rumor Roundup: Canucks Leave Door Open For Boeser, Mammoth Could Have A Big SummerIt was reported last month that the Vancouver Canucks intend to let Brock Boeser test the NHL’s UFA market when it opens on July 1.
Hickey also proposed going the offer-sheet route by targeting Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks. The 23-year-old center would fit in well among the Canadiens' young core. However, the Ducks have the cap space to match any offer.
Pickings could be slim in the trade market. Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild has resurfaced in the rumor mill, but his small stature and style of play might not be suited for the heavy two-way game required for a second-line center. Dawson Mercer of the New Jersey Devils could be another possibility after struggling under coach Sheldon Keefe this season.
Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.