A Busy Offseason for the Canadiens
Montreal's front office has been busy this offseason, scouting the market for a centre who can reliably produce behind Nick Suzuki.
General manager Kent Hughes has been vocal about the team's aggressive posture, but the Islanders made it clear that Bo Horvat is not on the table.
The Canadiens' need for a second‑line centre stems from the departure of several veteran forwards, and the club hopes a proven scorer can fill the gap.
Earlier in the year, Montreal secured Noah Dobson in a trade that paid immediate dividends, as the defenseman posted a strong first season in the city.
Across the league, the Columbus Blue Jackets have reiterated that star winger Kirill Marchenko is not available, despite his expiring contract.
The Washington Capitals, meanwhile, are still searching for a defenseman after parting ways with John Carlson at the deadline, a move that left a gap on the blue line.
Adding to the Capitals' woes, Rasmus Sandin will miss an extended period after surgery on a torn ACL, further thinning their defensive options.
The Athletic has been tracking these developments, providing insider insight into the trade conversations and contract situations.