Most teams in the NHL are quiet on the trade front as the offseason slowly comes to an end and the season gradually approaches with training camp and preseason hockey being played this month.
One team that is not quiet when it comes to trade talks right now is the Montreal Canadiens. With the expectation this week that we will likely see the team move Carey Price’s contract, once that is complete the Habs will get busy as they look to add to their lineup.
Via Marco D’Amico, the Canadiens are on the hunt for a top 6 forward piece. They are hoping to acquire said piece before the season begins with a last minute summer hail mary. But, they are willing to make a move in-season as well if they must.
Why do the Canadiens wish to add to their top 6?
Montreal’s current top 6 forward group is solid, but not spectacular. They could clearly use another core member in the stable to help shore things up as they look to establish themselves as realistic contenders.
The top 6 offense crop consists of Slafkovsky-Suzuki-Caufield on line 1 and Laine-Dach-Demidov on line 2. The need the Canadiens face is most evident at the 2nd line center position as Kirby Dach has not yet proven himself as a consistently reliable 2C.
If the Habs can find a way to add a solid second line center beneath Nick Suzuki, this would be a big boon to their chances. The strength of wingers appears strong, but the Habs would likely settle for another add in their wing rotation if they can’t find the center they desire.
We’ll see what move(s) the team makes and when as the Canadiens look to make their mark in a year where the club has high expectations for the first time in a while coming off a playoff berth last season.
