Montreal Canadiens looking for specific center per Elliotte Friedman
The Montreal Canadiens are Stanley Cup hopefuls in 2025/26, and now Elliotte Friedman has detailed what they want in a second-line center on the trade market.
After a promising campaign in 2024/25, the Montreal Canadiens have taken a major step forward this season, and given how well their bright, young core is playing, it's easy to see why optimism continues to grow in Montreal.
However, this isn't yet a complete roster, and already, just a few weeks into the new season, this is a team that's been surrounded by trade rumours as they look to make some major upgrades.
Elliotte Friedman details Montreal's trade desires
The majority of those rumours have surrounded Calgary's Nazem Kadri, but according to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, beyond the Flames veteran, this is a team looking for much more affordable options.
I think with Montreal you're looking at, who's a relatively inexpensive center; aside from the fact they're looking at the Kadri types, all the Crosby rumours; who's somebody who's a stopgap.
It's unclear exactly who is out there that could help Montreal right now at the centre position that fits this billing, but given that the team have been linked to countless players, General Manager Kent Hughes could be targeting anyone this season.
While Montreal are ready to become a contending team, it makes sense given their young core that they don't want to mortgage that future to win now, and if Hughes can acquire a cost effective centre to fill a role right now, it's the best option.
Ultimately though, there are many different ways the Canadiens can go this season, but given their promising start and their core that's locked in for years to come, there's only good things to come for Montreal.
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