Potential Trade Target: Jared McCann

Now that we have gotten the challenging parts of having McCann as a centre out of the way, let’s discuss why he could be a great fit on the Habs’ 2nd line. First off, McCann has proven to be a lethal goal scorer after scoring 40 goals during the 2022-23 season with Matty Beniers as his playmaker. However, Beniers has struggled ever since his rookie season. As a result, McCann has become more of a playmaker of the last 2 years, where he has managed to become a perennial 60-point player who is seen as a double threat on the offensive side of the game. The 29-year-old could be the perfect veteran to centre with a potential future superstar like Ivan Demidov, who can be a scorer or playmaker. 

McCann and Demidov could combine for 30 goals and 70 points each by playing together as both are equally a threat as a shooter or passer. Not to forget, on the other wing, they will either have a great sniper like Patrik Laine or have a grinder like Zach Bolduc, who also has a threatening shot. 

In terms of the power-play, McCann could centre the 2nd unit to help create a strong wave alongside the newly acquired Bolduc, Noah Dobson and one of Laine or Cole Caufield, as one of the two snipers will need to be pushed down to the 2nd unit when everyone is healthy.

On the defensive side of the game, McCann could also help Demidov adapt to the NHL, as before being an offensive threat in Pittsburgh and Seattle, he started his career in more of a defensive role. Therefore, McCann can also be used on the penalty kill if need be, as he plays an overall responsible two-way game.

McCann is currently on a very team-friendly cap hit of $5M for the next 2 seasons, which is the perfect length to be stop stopgap for a player like Michael Hage, who is expected to be the 2nd line centre in the future. If, say, McCann does fit well in Montreal, he could be shifted to the wing if the Habs prefer to have Hage as the 2nd line centre.

At just 29 years old, he would be on the older side of the Habs roster, but he’d also be a veteran presence that wouldn’t be too old when the Canadiens enter their cup contention window in 2-3 years if he were to stick around.

If the Canadiens were to trade for McCann, given the Kraken’s likelihood to rebuild, it would likely cost one of Joshua Roy, Adam Engstrom or Oliver Kapanen with a 2nd round pick and maybe add Mike Matheson if they want an everyday NHLer in the deal. While McTavish seems like the more enticing name, the reality is that acquiring a player like McCann will cost much less and will allow the Canadiens to keep their top prospects if they do manage to acquire him. 

It is probably unlikely, but getting Jared McCann would be a great move for Kent Hughes, who has made a mid-August trade every season that he has been the Habs GM. It will be interesting to see if the tradition continues again this summer.

What are your thoughts on the Habs being potentially interested in Jared McCann?