The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly eyeing veteran help at center in free agency, with ties to two notable players from within their division.
With Kirby Dach struggling to stay healthy, the Canadiens have a clear need for a reliable third-line center. According to NHL insider Arpon Basu of The Athletic, Montreal is closely monitoring the situations of Claude Giroux (Ottawa Senators) and John Tavares (Toronto Maple Leafs) as July 1 approaches.
“Tavares and Giroux remain far apart in contract discussions with their current teams,” Basu noted. “Either could be a good short-term addition for the Canadiens, who are certainly paying close attention to how things unfold.”
Tavares, a left-shot center known for his faceoff skills, appears to be a more natural fit for Montreal. However, Giroux may be the more attainable option. Despite being a right-handed winger by trade, Giroux played extensively at center for Ottawa last season, taking 976 faceoffs and winning 61.5%—the highest win rate among all NHL players with at least 100 draws.
Giroux just finished a three-year, $19.5 million contract with the Senators, posting 50 points (15 goals, 35 assists) in 81 games. Tavares, meanwhile, concluded his seven-year, $77 million deal with the Maple Leafs, tallying 74 points (38 goals, 36 assists) in 75 games.
Could the Canadiens Overpay for Giroux?
Giroux, a native of the Ottawa area, and Tavares, a Toronto native, both reportedly prefer to remain with their current clubs. But with no agreements yet finalized, Basu suggests Montreal may consider overpaying to secure one of them.
Basu indicated that the main obstacle in Ottawa’s talks with Giroux is related to contract bonuses. “If he becomes available on July 1, we’ll see how far the Canadiens are willing to go,” Basu said. “They previously offered a short-term deal with a higher average salary to Jonathan Marchessault last year. Could they do the same for Giroux?”
Giroux is projected to command a two-year deal worth around $5.2 million annually, while Tavares could fetch roughly $7.9 million per year over three seasons, per AFP Analytics.
Canadiens Cautious Despite Interest
Though Montreal reached the playoffs last season and is aiming to continue progressing, general manager Kent Hughes emphasized a cautious approach to free agency.
“We’re not going to act like drunken sailors and end up with regrettable eight-year contracts,” Hughes told Sportsnet, making it clear the team won’t mortgage its future for short-term gains.
The Canadiens currently have just over $6 million in cap space, suggesting any signing would need to be both financially and strategically sound.
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