The Montreal Canadiens need two things for next season: a veteran right-handed blue-liner, but also a true second center.
Surrounding Ivan Demidov on the second line should be a priority for Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton.
Kirby Dach could be a backup plan if the Habs fail to fill this need, but it wouldn’t be ideal.
On the most recent episode of The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, Eric Engels was on hand to discuss this topic.
According to him, the Habs want a player who would fit in with them to become a permanent winner :
Here’s the excerpt in question:
Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton won’t settle for an okay player in their hunt for a 2nd line center…@EricEngels: “They want a player that fits with them becoming a perennial winner “#GoHabsGo #thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro pic.twitter.com/YAxYyIff0N
– The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) June 20, 2025
And it would make sense for the Habs not to add the services of a “decent” player. As long as they’re giving away prospects and/or draft picks, they might as well go after a center in his prime so he can have long-term success with the club.
Speaking of draft picks, Kevin Dubé of TVA Sports wrote an interesting article recently, reporting the words of a scout for an Eastern team.
The latter mentioned thatthere isa sharp drop in the value of prospects in the second half of the first round.
“I think players who are going to come out between 11 and 20 this year would come out between 20 and 30 in a normal year”
https://t.co/72A8LcyCbH
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) June 20, 2025
What does this mean for the Habs, who are drafting 16th and 17th?
They need to find a team willing to take risks with two consecutive picks and who need volume, rather than quantity.
And this team must have an interesting option as a second center for the Habs.
The options are starting to drop drastically.
Could the Anaheim Ducks use a breath of fresh air? Trevor Zegras has often been linked with the Habs, but he shouldn’t cost much, considering he’s not living up to expectations.
But why would the Habs want a 24-year-old who’s regressing year after year? Buy cheap in the hope that a change of scenery will help him find his feet.
But if the Habs want a REAL second center for the long term, Mason McTavish is still a more than interesting option (but much more expensive, obviously).
Both first-round picks would be in order, and the Habs have some pretty interesting prospects, as well as the Penguins’ second-round pick (41st).
It won’t be easy to find a quality second center in the long term.
– A big man ready for Habs fan madness?Where do we sign?
Lynden Lakovic, a 6’4, 200 lbs winger from the Moose Jaw Warriors, on potentially being drafted by the Habs:
“It would mean the world. Montreal is a great place to play for sure. Their fans are passionate. Maybe some say crazy at times but I think I’m definitely ready for that…. pic.twitter.com/EF8vpkyWRe
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) June 20, 2025
– Brad Marchand is wearing a Dairy Queen jersey with an Oilers logo marked “Losers”.
Someone take the phone away from this rebel right now
#TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/5etr23MlMA
– David (@David954FLA) June 20, 2025
– CF Montreal will be without Donadel for next Wednesday’s match.
Marco Donadel picked up his 3rd yellow card of the season in Houston. #CFMTL
He will have to serve a one-game suspension next Wednesday against @fccincinnati.
It will be interesting to see who the head coach will be in his absence. Logic would dictate that it will be David..
– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) June 20, 2025
– Read on.
And seeing Blue Jays prep games in Montreal again is still possible, according to Jeremy Filosa. https://t.co/VvoD6zdHkU
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) June 20, 2025
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