5 Canadiens Prospects Who Can Be Traded for a 2nd-Line Centre

The Montreal Canadiens are currently in a position where bolstering their depth down the middle should be a priority. While the team has a solid foundation with young talent and a mix of veterans, one glaring need remains: a legitimate second-line centre. The Habs have been searching for stability behind Nick Suzuki, but the absence of a true second-line pivot has hindered their offensive consistency.

Acquiring a skilled, reliable second-line centre could be the key to unlocking the team’s full potential, but the price for such a player could be steep. Given the value of an established top-six centre in today’s NHL, the Canadiens would likely need to part with a significant asset in return. Trade talks would likely involve a high draft pick, a promising prospect, or even a current roster player. If the Canadiens were to acquire a second line centre, witch prospects could be sacrificed?

5 – David Reinbacher, Defenseman

Look — this does not mean I would trade David Reinbacher. It would look a lot like Mikhail Sergachev for Jonathan Drouin all over again. As the Canadiens enter the market for a second-line centre, one of the first names that could come up in trade discussions is Reinbacher. The 2023 fifth-overall pick has quickly established himself as one of Montreal’s top prospects and a key piece of their future. Reinbacher’s impressive two-way game, poise with the puck, and mature play for his age make him an enticing asset for any team in need of a young, right-handed defenseman.

The Austrian has dealt with injuries since his selection in 2023 and still a lot of room to improve, but trading him could end up a bad decision for the Canadiens. Will the Habs trade him? I highly doubt it happens, but teams will certainly ask for him in trade discussions.

4 – Sean Farrell, Left Wing

Sean Farrell is an incredibly skilled and dynamic forward, known for his elite hockey IQ, playmaking ability, and creativity. Standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing around 175 pounds, Farrell doesn’t rely on physicality, but rather on his speed, vision, and ability to make plays at high speed. He’s a natural playmaker, often making creative passes through tight spaces and finding his teammates in high-danger areas.

However, with the Canadiens’ deep prospect pool, especially in the forward group, Farrell’s path to a permanent spot in Montreal’s lineup is far from certain. While Farrell may not yet have the kind of “super-high” trade value that a top-tier prospect like Reinbacher would, his skill set and potential are still appealing to teams looking for offensive depth. Farrell could be a prospect teams find intriguing, particularly if packaged with a high-value asset like a first-round pick.

3 – Michael Hage, Centre

The possibility of trading Michael Hage is super intriguing. After a solid first season with the University of Michigan, Hage could very well be the Habs second-line centre in three years. The 21^st-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft is a solid skater with some solid offensive tools that could lead him to be a top six player at the next level.