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Three Top UFAs linked to Montreal Canadiens to Fill Crucial Roster Spot

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated May 13, 2025 9:06 AM ET

The Montreal Canadiens took a step forward this past season, and if they want to do so again in 2025/26, there have been three names suggested in free agency.

While everyone expected the Montreal Canadiens to be solid in 2024/25, no one quite saw them taking the leap forward that they did, and while they lost in five games in the first-round, that was still seen as a massive win for the organization this season.

Now however, with so many rising stars, the expectations grow ahead of next year, but if they truly want to take a leap to becoming genuine contenders, they'll no doubt need to have a huge summer.

There's expectations that they could look to trade one of their two first-round picks, and they're also expected to pursue centre's in free agency, and now, three veteran options have been identified as perfect candidates for this young, up-and-coming team.

Those names are Brock Nelson, Matt Duchene and perhaps the unlikeliest of all, John Tavares, and given that they're currently rolling with Christian Dvorak and Jake Evans as their second and third line centres behind captain Nick Suzuki, a major addition could change the whole dynamic of this team.

Of course there are still young names that could potentially push for a spot in the lineup as well as the injured Kirby Dach, and if the team want a stop-gap option between Dach/Michael Hage growing into stars, these three are all legitimate answers for this position.

Whether or not the Canadiens target an upgrade in free agency or they look to the trade market or simply play things out with their young names, the future is looking incredibly bright, and if they can make some good moves and add a veteran or two, expect them to be back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2026.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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