3 Positions the Canadiens Should Address This Offseason

The Montreal Canadiens took a major step forward this season. After reaching the conference final and proving they can compete with some of the NHL’s better teams, expectations will be much higher heading into next season. The rebuild phase is largely behind them, and the focus now shifts toward turning a promising young team into a legitimate contender.

Kent Hughes has already shown he is willing to be aggressive when the opportunity presents itself. The acquisition of Noah Dobson last summer was proof of that. While the Canadiens have built a strong foundation through the draft, there are still a few areas that could use reinforcement.

A True Second-Line Centre

This remains the biggest need on Montreal’s roster. The Canadiens have managed to survive without a true second-line centre thanks to strong depth and versatility. Oliver Kapanen performed admirably when asked to handle bigger responsibilities during the regular season, while veterans Jake Evans and Phillip Danault played key roles down the middle during the playoffs.

The problem is that none of those players are ideal long-term solutions for a team hoping to compete for a Stanley Cup. Ivan Demidov is quickly becoming one of Montreal’s most dangerous offensive weapons. To maximize his potential, the Canadiens need a centre capable of driving offence and consistently producing top-six numbers. Asking Demidov to create everything on his own would be a mistake.

Michael Hage could eventually become that player, but he is still developing and remains at least a couple of years away from potentially filling that role full-time in the NHL. That’s why Hughes should closely monitor the trade market.

One intriguing name is Dylan Larkin. Reports have suggested that the Detroit Red Wings captain asked to be traded out of Detroit. Larkin is a first-line talent and would be a huge upgrade on Montreal’s top six. Whether it is Larkin or another player, the objective should be clear. The Canadiens need a legitimate offensive centre who can slot behind Nick Suzuki and give opposing teams another matchup nightmare to deal with.

A Partner for Lane Hutson

The Canadiens invested heavily in their blue line by acquiring Dobson, and that move addressed a major need on the back end. However, there is still room for improvement. Lane Hutson has quickly established himself as one of the most dynamic defencemen in the league. His offensive instincts are elite, and he continues to prove that he can drive play at even strength and on the power play. The challenge now is finding the perfect partner to maximize his strengths.

Kaiden Guhle has looked good alongside Hutson at times and remains an important piece of the future. Alexandre Carrier has also been a stabilizing presence. But if Hughes truly wants to build one of the NHL’s elite defensive groups, adding another top-four defenceman should remain on the radar.

The modern NHL is all about depth on the blue line. Just look at recent Stanley Cup contenders. Most of them can roll three strong pairings and have multiple defencemen capable of handling difficult assignments. Montreal has promising young defenders such as David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom developing in the system, but relying entirely on prospects can be risky.

If an experienced top-four defenceman becomes available through trade or free agency, Hughes should at least explore the possibility. A reliable partner who can handle defensive-zone responsibilities would allow Hutson to continue doing what he does best, creating offence and pushing the pace.

More Grit on the Wings

The Canadiens have added skill throughout the lineup over the last few years, but there is still an argument to be made that the team could use another physical winger capable of impacting games in multiple ways. Josh Anderson showed during the playoffs how valuable that type of player can be. His speed, physicality and ability to create chaos on the forecheck were important factors in Montreal’s success. Juraj Slafkovsky also brings a physical element when he is at his best.

But beyond those two, the Canadiens could still use another winger who combines size, toughness and offensive upside. It is worth remembering that Montreal was reportedly interested in Matthew Knies before the trade deadline. Knies represents exactly the type of player the Canadiens should look for this summer. 

Whether Hughes revisits that possibility or looks elsewhere, adding another power forward should be part of the conversation this summer. The playoffs once again showed how important physicality remains. Teams that can win battles along the boards, establish a net-front presence and wear opponents down over a seven-game series often find success when the games matter most. Adding another gritty winger would not only make Montreal harder to play against but would also help create more space for the team’s skilled forwards.

The Canadiens have come a long way, but the job is not finished. With expectations rising and the window to contend beginning to open, this could be one of the most important offseasons of Hughes’ tenure as general manager.