As the trade deadline approaches, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves in an unusual, and enviable, position. Despite a long list of injuries throughout the season, the team has stayed competitive, discovered internal solutions, and now faces a new challenge: too many NHL-caliber players once everyone is healthy. That reality opens the door to speculation. While Kent Hughes has no obligation to make a move, the Canadiens do have flexibility, and that could mean listening on a few names. Here are three players who could, realistically, be moved before the deadline.
Patrik Laine
Patrik Laine is the name that comes up first, and it’s not particularly close. When Montreal acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets, the risk was clear: elite offensive talent paired with a long injury history and an inconsistent five-on-five impact. Unfortunately for the Canadiens, that risk has largely defined his tenure so far.
Laine has played just five games this season before being sidelined again, this time with a core muscle injury. Availability has been a recurring issue throughout his career, and while his shot remains one of the best in the league, the Canadiens have learned to function, and win, without him.
From a roster-building perspective, Laine is also a difficult fit. He is primarily a power-play weapon who needs offensive touches to be effective, and Montreal’s top-six has found chemistry without him. At even strength, the Habs already have faster, more versatile options who can play with pace and forecheck effectively.
With Laine set to become a free agent after the season, the Canadiens must ask themselves a simple question: Does he still have a long-term role here? If the answer is no, moving him at the deadline, even for a modest return, could make sense, especially for a contender looking to add scoring depth for the playoffs.
Kirby Dach
This one is more delicate. Kirby Dach remains a talented, intriguing player, but the situation around him is changing rapidly. Injuries have once again disrupted his season, and while patience has been a constant theme in Montreal, opportunities are becoming harder to find.
When Alex Newhook returns from injury, things get crowded quickly. Alexandre Texier has seized a golden opportunity on the first line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Meanwhile, Dach has found himself in a depth role, at times on the fourth line, a tough spot for a player who was once projected as a core top-six piece.
That’s the key issue, role. If Texier sticks on the first line and Newhook slides back into the top-nine, where does Dach fit? He’s not an ideal fourth-line player, and the Canadiens already have multiple centres competing for ice time.
At some point, the organization has to decide whether Dach is still part of the long-term vision or whether a change of scenery could benefit both sides. He still has value around the league, especially for teams willing to bet on upside. A trade isn’t inevitable, but it’s no longer unthinkable.
Jayden Struble
Jayden Struble may not generate headlines, but he represents a classic deadline-type discussion. Struble has been decent when called upon, bringing physicality, mobility, and reliability in a limited role. However, the Canadiens’ blue line depth is quietly becoming one of the deepest in the organization.
Related: What Is the Canadiens’ Plan for Patrik Laine?
Arber Xhekaj and Struble are already fighting for spots. Add to that the strong NHL auditions from Adam Engström earlier this season and the fact that David Reinbacher is getting closer to being NHL-ready, and the math becomes tricky.
To be clear, the Canadiens do not need to move Struble. But if another team values him and the Habs add a veteran, he could be moved. Depth defencemen with upside are always in demand near the deadline, and Struble fits that profile well.
The most important thing to remember is this: the Canadiens don’t have to force anything. They could very well move only Laine, or even stand pat entirely. Having too many viable options is not a problem; it’s a sign of organizational progress. For years, Montreal lacked depth and flexibility. Now, Hughes has choices.
Whether it’s moving a contract, clearing a logjam, or simply keeping the group intact, the Canadiens are operating from a position of strength, and that’s exactly where rebuilding teams hope to be at this stage.
