The Montreal Canadiens are staring down a familiar problem, but the solution might just be hiding in plain sight. As the initial frenzy of NHL free agency settles, the Habs’ glaring need for a legitimate second-line center remains unaddressed. With the trade market proving to be a seller’s paradise and the UFA pool looking shallow, General Manager Kent Hughes is signaling that the immediate fix will have to come from within. This has the Montreal Canadiens news cycle buzzing, but what does it really mean for the team’s immediate future?
For fans hoping for a blockbuster trade, this might feel like a letdown. Hughes, who has earned a reputation as a shrewd dealmaker, isn’t a magician. He can’t conjure a top-six pivot out of thin air when the league-wide supply is so low. This isn’t a lack of ambition; it’s a strategic pivot towards patience. The cost to acquire a proven second-line center right now is astronomical, and frankly, it would likely derail the well-orchestrated rebuild that has shown so much promise. So, the spotlight turns inwards, directly onto a few key players who now face a golden opportunity.
The Internal Candidates: Hope and Question Marks
The name at the top of the list is, of course, Kirby Dach. When healthy, the 24-year-old has shown flashes of the high-end skill that made him the third overall pick in 2019. However, his tenure in Montreal has been marred by frustrating injuries, and his performance at center last season, even when in the lineup, left something to be desired.
But here’s the tantalizing “what if”: what if a healthy Dach is flanked by the electrifying skill of Ivan Demidov and the recently acquired, hard-driving Zachary Bolduc? That’s a combination we haven’t seen, and it’s a trio that could offer a dynamic mix of size, skill, and tenacity that the Canadiens’ top-six desperately needs. Bolduc, who played center in his junior days, adds another layer of intrigue to this internal competition.
Patience is a Virtue, But for How Long?
As an NHL rumors insider, my take is this: Kent Hughes is playing the long game, and it’s the right move. Forcing a trade now would be a mistake. Instead, he’s creating a competitive environment where young, hungry players are given the chance to seize a critical role. This internal battle for the second-line center spot will be one of the most compelling storylines heading into training camp.
While the external market will be monitored, don’t be surprised if the answer to one of the Canadiens’ biggest questions has been in the organization all along. The pressure is on, and for players like Dach and Bolduc, the time to deliver is now.
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