Montreal Canadiens Second-Line Centre Situation

The Montreal Canadiens had one major hole on their roster heading into the offseason, and it’s at centre. While they made sizeable additions in Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc, they haven’t truly filled their hole down the middle. The team added Joe Veleno, but he has yet to prove himself at the NHL level. They also have rookies looking to make an impact at camp, such as Oliver Kapanen and Owen Beck. With an injury-prone Kirby Dach, an unproven Veleno, as well as Alex Newhook, the Canadiens have some question marks down the middle. Let’s analyze Montreal’s current centre situation and explore the options available moving forward.

Montreal Canadiens Second Centre Situation and Options

Montreal has Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans solidified as the top centreman and fourth-line centreman, respectively. As of now, it looks like they will be rounding out their centre core with Kirby Dach and Joe Veleno as the second and third-line centres. Dach has been riddled with injuries throughout his young career, but we have seen glimpses of what he can be at his best. Some suggest he’s better served on the wing due to his success on the top line with Caufield and Suzuki. However, he is at his most effective when he drives his own line.

Run with Kirby Dach and Joe Veleno

As for Veleno, Montreal brought the hometown kid home on a one-year deal a couple of weeks after free agency opened. Initially, it was reported that Montreal had opted to pass on the 25-year-old’s services. However, they circled back on Veleno in the end. This is likely due to the lack of options they had at their disposal.

Adding Veleno gives Montreal depth down the middle. He hasn’t found his offensive touch in either Detroit or Chicago. Despite this, Veleno will be given the best opportunity of his career to date with Montreal. If he can earn the third-line centre role, he will get the most minutes alongside the best linemates of his career. Both Dach and Veleno bring size and skill down the middle of the ice. Montreal also has Newhook available to play centre if Dach goes down with another injury. The two both have something to prove, and this is likely their last chance to do so. Montreal will likely opt to begin the season with the duo as their middle-six centres.

Demidov, Bolduc, and Newhook Better Served as Wingers, Rookies in Laval

There has been some chatter that if Dach and Veleno falter, we could see one of Ivan Demidov or Bolduc play centre. Despite the intrigue, it wouldn’t make much sense, especially at this juncture. Demidov has the skill and hockey IQ to be effective at centre.  However, he hasn’t played the position throughout his career. In his first pro season in North America, it wouldn’t be wise to thrust Demidov into an unfamiliar role. Much of the same can be said about trying Bolduc at centre. He hasn’t played the position in several years, which he stated. Bolduc is just coming off his rookie season and is heading into his first in Montreal. Putting that much pressure on him may be too big an ask this season.

Montreal also has some centres waiting in the wings in Kapanen and Beck. The two youngsters have seen some NHL action early in their careers with limited success. Both have the potential to be solid middle six-bottom six players. However, the two are very raw products at this stage in their careers. Despite having success at the pro level in the AHL and SHL, respectively, they would both benefit from another year of seasoning in Laval. They will be amongst the first call-ups if an injury occurs, especially one down the middle of the ice.

Exploring the Thin Trade Market

The trade market for centremen is thin right now for the Canadiens. Not to mention they’ve already given up significant trade chips this summer in Logan Mailloux and two first-round picks in 2025. The main trade talk has surrounded Mason McTavish potentially being dealt out of Anaheim. McTavish is a restricted free agent, which opens up the possibility of an offer sheet. In contrast, there likely isn’t a number that Montreal could offer that would scare off the Anaheim Ducks. On top of this, the price to acquire McTavish via trade would likely be too steep for the Canadiens. After just signing Dobson and with Patrik Laine, Brendan Gallagher, and Josh Anderson‘s big contracts, the Habs aren’t in a position to offer him big money, at least not this summer.

Outside of McTavish, names like Marco Rossi and Nazem Kadri, among others, have been tossed around. None of the rumoured names seem like solid fits for Montreal, however. The Canadiens will be better served starting the season with Dach and Veleno down the middle. If the duo falters, we may see a trade arise midseason. Don’t expect to see another massive acquisition from Montreal at centre this offseason.