September 8, 2025
The Montreal Canadiens need a second line centreman. It’s been the obsession of fans and pundits for the entire off-season, and no doubt the focus of many management discussions. Now the summer is winding down, and the hole at 2C remains.
Having traded away Carey Price’s contract, HuGo is currently positioned to make a move to address the gap. While opinions abound, it’s not yet obvious how HuGo intends to move forward. Here are some options.
Option A – Status quo is what the Dach-ter ordered
Late last summer, the Canadiens traded for Patrik Laine. With Kirby Dach expected to return from injury, fans were excited for a Laine-Dach-Newhook trio and expectations were high for Dach in the 2C role. Then Laine was injured and Dach struggled, and the entire season passed without a legitimate second line emerging in Montreal.
Most have given up on the idea of Dach at 2C, but I’m not sure GM Kent Hughes has. Not completely. It is entirely possible that Hughes will do exactly nothing until Dach has been given a final chance to prove himself in the role.
Option B – Sign a UFA placeholder
This option assumes Hughes believes Michael Hage can be a legitimate 2C in Montreal. If he does, a short-term placeholder might be the best option and a UFA costs nothing in assets to obtain.
The problem is that there are only two names to consider and neither are ideal. I will be surprised if either of Evgeny Kuznetsov or Jack Roslovic suit up for the Habs, but stranger things have happened.
Option C – Trade for a placeholder
This option, like Option B, assumes the Habs are looking for a placeholder until Hage is ready, but will acquire him via trade.
We all know the names that are out there. Pavel Zacha or Casey Mittelstadt from Boston, Charlie Coyle from Columbus, Jared McCann from Seattle, yada yada. Are any of these guys available right now? After a slow start, perhaps, but the number of teams truly waving the white flag already is small.
But just like Hughes swooped in and nabbed Zachary Bolduc when he wasn’t known to be available, there are likely others in his view. Landing a placeholder in the coming weeks via trade is a realistic option.
Option D – Trade for an anointed 2
This option assumes the Habs are not wholeheartedly committed to Hage at 2C and are prepared to pursue a young centreman they believe can fill the hole immediately and for the long haul. In this scenario, they may be willing to move Hage in the deal or to the wing.
Mason McTavish, here’s looking at you.
Is McTavish any more available than Anton Lundell or Shane Wright or any other desirable youngster? I’m not convinced but… If anyone can pull it off, the Wonderful Wizard of Habs can.
Option E – Sidney Crosby
This option assumes there is some world in which Sid the Kid might be interested in a winter trade to the Canadiens. in that case, the Habs might be prepared to duct tape what they already have and hope they’re still in the mix when Crosby arrives.
The beauty of this option is that it also allows developmental time for David Reinbacher, and the D group might be mature enough to allow the Habs to move on from Mike Matheson. Assets acquired in a Matheson trade might be added to a package for Crosby.
Dreaming in technicolor? Perhaps. But again, if anyone can pull it off, the Wonderful Wizard of Habs can.
Hab At Her 