3 Teams the Canadiens Could Do Business With – The Hockey Writers – Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have done most of the heavy lifting this offseason, but Kent Hughes is rarely finished once free agency slows down. Some of his best moves have come when other organizations were under pressure, whether because of salary cap issues or changing competitive timelines. With several NHL teams facing difficult decisions, Montreal could once again take advantage of the market. Here are three organizations the Canadiens should monitor closely over the coming weeks.

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars are once again in a difficult salary cap situation. After signing Jason Robertson to a new contract, the Stars now find themselves roughly $1.3 million over the salary cap and will need to create room before opening night. That is exactly the type of situation Hughes has shown he likes to exploit.

Dallas may not be looking to trade a star player, but it could be forced to move useful NHL veterans simply because it has no other choice. Those are often the types of acquisitions that come at a discounted price.

Radek Faksa could be one such option. The veteran center brings size, physicality and penalty-killing ability, making him a reliable bottom-six player. While Montreal has solid depth down the middle, adding another experienced defensive forward is never a bad thing if the price is right.

Sam Steel is another intriguing possibility. He can play both center and wing, provides versatility throughout the lineup and could fit nicely in a fourth-line role while still offering some offensive upside. Then there is veteran defenseman Tyler Myers. The Canadiens have looked to add more size on the blue line over the past few seasons, and Myers certainly checks that box. While he is no longer the player he was earlier in his career, his experience and reach could still help stabilize a bottom pairing.

Vancouver Canucks

Unlike Dallas, the Vancouver Canucks’ situation is not driven by the salary cap but by the direction of the franchise. The Canucks are in a significant rebuild, and several established veterans have already been mentioned in trade rumours. Elias Pettersson, Jake DeBrusk and Filip Hronek have all seen their names surface over recent months.

While those players would certainly attract attention around the league, it is difficult to see Montreal making a major push for any of them.

Pettersson cap hit is certainly not attractive and the return might still be uninteresting. Hronek would further crowd an already talented Canadiens defense corps, and DeBrusk may not be the type of addition Hughes is prioritizing.

However, whenever a team begins selling established players, opportunities often emerge elsewhere on the roster. Young NHL players who have fallen down the depth chart, former first-round picks needing a fresh start or reliable role players can suddenly become available for much more reasonable prices.

Those secondary moves are often where Hughes has found success throughout his tenure. Acquiring a player before his value explodes has become one of Montreal’s strengths, and Vancouver could present another opportunity to do exactly that. If the Canucks truly begin reshaping their roster, the Canadiens should certainly be paying attention.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks also deserve to be watched closely. At first glance, Anaheim still has roughly $9 million in available cap space, but that number will shrink considerably once restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier signs his next contract.

The situation became even more complicated after the Ducks matched Leo Carlsson’s massive five-year offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers worth $18 million annually. That deal significantly changes Anaheim’s financial picture and could force the organization to move additional salary elsewhere on the roster.

That is where Montreal could enter the conversation. The Ducks have assembled one of the league’s deepest groups of young forwards and defensemen. Not everyone will have room to play significant minutes, and salary constraints could eventually force Anaheim to make difficult decisions.

The Canadiens are in a position to take advantage if a talented young player becomes available at the right price. Montreal also has the cap flexibility to absorb contracts that other teams cannot, giving Hughes another advantage if Anaheim needs to clear money quickly.

Patience Could Once Again Pay Off

The Canadiens do not need to force another major move before the season begins. Their roster is already significantly improved, and the organization remains committed to building through patience rather than desperation. However, that does not mean Hughes should stop looking for opportunities. Those are exactly the types of situations that creative general managers look to exploit. If history is any indication, don’t be surprised if Hughes finds another bargain before training camp opens.