David Savard (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
It’s the start of training camp and the Montreal Canadiens appear to be set with their roster, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still on the lookout for a deal.
According to a well-placed RG source in the Eastern Conference, the Canadiens remain active on the phones despite being content with their roster.
With four picks in the first two rounds of the 2025 NHL Draft, along with a boatload of prospects, it won’t be for lack of assets that a trade doesn’t go down.
The Canadiens have reportedly informed their colleagues that they’re not looking for lateral deals and will be looking to make clear upgrades at positions of need.
This was made evident in their acquisition of Patrik Laine this summer, in exchange for a stable, albeit expendable, defenseman in Jordan Harris.
It was further evidenced by how quickly their trade talks with the Nashville Predators ended when GM Barry Trotz requested top prospect Jacob Fowler in exchange for Yaroslav Askarov.
The Canadiens aren’t looking to go sideways, they’re looking for clear upgrades.
But where?
Biding Their Time For The Right Deal
The Canadiens spent most of the summer looking for the right deal to come along.
They were involved in conversations for Trevor Zegras, Martin Necas and even Rutger McGroarty around the 2024 NHL Draft. Ultimately, those deals fell through because the Canadiens were able to acquire the type of elite talent they were looking for in Ivan Demidov and Michael Hage.
The Canadiens still aren’t fully satisfied at forward, especially when it comes to goal-scoring. Yes, they acquired Laine, drafted Demidov, and already have Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, but championship rosters generally have six forwards that can pot 20+ goals.
But, especially for this upcoming season, the right side of their defense is where the most attention will be given on the market.
A Clear Upgrade On Defense
The same source told RG that Montreal will have difficulty evaluating its next move at the position, with veteran David Savard’s contract coming to an end this season.
Youngsters Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher and Justin Barron are in the fold but too young for full-time, top-4 duty. Meanwhile Bogdan Konyushkov still has two years on his KHL deal.
A lot of unknowns, some well-earned hope, but very little concrete results to ensure that such a vital position is covered moving forward.
The Canadiens have put a stopgap to their problem by slotting left-handed Kaiden Guhle on the right next to Mike Matheson, but that likely won’t be a long-term solution.
And it’s not by chance that team defense has been the word at Canadiens’ training camp so far, as the organization has set a goal of shoring up the play in their zone.
The Canadiens believe in their youth and want to give them every chance to prove themselves. But if things take longer than predicted, they will need a clear upgrade on defense to hit the next level.
It’s an organizational tipping point, and one that will be tested this season as the Canadiens look to take the next step in their rebuild over the next few years.
Marco D'Amico is a beat reporter covering the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL Draft, while also being a recurring guest on TSN690 and BPM Sports. His work primarily on NHL CBA breakdowns and prospect analysis, all while covering the Montreal Canadiens on a day-to-day basis.
