General Manager (GM) Kent Hughes is known for being proactive in trade discussions, frequently reaching out to his NHL counterparts to assess the market and determine player values. As a result, Montreal is consistently linked to trade rumors. However, with pressing roster needs and limited time to wait for prospects to develop, patience is becoming a luxury.
The Canadiens’ Centre Depth Issue
Montreal’s rebuild remains in progress, and while the team has a well-stocked prospect pool across all positions, center depth remains a glaring weakness. Nick Suzuki is the clear top-line center, but the options behind him are insufficient for true playoff contention.
As of February 2025, the Canadiens lack a proven top-six center. Jake Evans has stepped into that role intermittently, posting career-best numbers in goals and points, but he is best suited for a fourth-line role on a contending team and has been frequently mentioned in trade speculation. Christian Dvorak, another potential option, is also set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1 and does not fit as a top-six center either.
Beyond these two, the team’s internal solutions are limited. Owen Beck, in his first professional season, and Michael Hage, a freshman at the University of Michigan, both have the potential to develop into solid middle-six centers, but they are still a few years away from being NHL-ready.
Offensively, there is hope in the form of Ivan Demidov, who is lighting up the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The young forward is on track for a historic under-20 season, projected to surpass the record for most points by an under-22 player in the league. His elite scoring ability suggests he could become a superstar. However, to maximize his impact, he will need strong support, and waiting for prospects to mature into reliable centers may not be a viable strategy.
Exploring the Trade Market
According to NHL insider Kevin Weekes, the Canadiens are among several teams exploring a potential trade for Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens. At 23 years old, Cozens possesses size (6-foot-3, 212 pounds) and offensive upside but has seen a dip in production. While Buffalo is not actively shopping him, they would require a significant return, likely including one of Montreal’s 2025 first-round picks and a young roster player.
Cozens signed a seven-year, $7.1 million annual contract with Buffalo in February 2023 but has struggled to meet expectations. However, his previous 31-goal, 68-point season in a second-line role suggests he has the potential to rebound. His current five-on-five scoring rate (1.8 points per 60 minutes) would rank him third on the Canadiens, trailing only Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky.
Buffalo’s history of parting with talented players—such as Jack Eichel, Ryan O’Reilly, Sam Reinhart, and Brandon Montour—only to see them thrive elsewhere raises questions about whether Cozens could benefit from a change of scenery. The Sabres are now focused on identifying their core and surrounding them with the right assets, and Montreal has the necessary draft capital, young talent, and veteran players to make a deal.
Balancing Risk and Reward
Hughes must carefully weigh the risks before committing to a trade for Cozens. While he has successfully taken chances on reclamation projects before—such as Kirby Dach—Cozens’ decline in production warrants caution. The Canadiens must also consider the long-term implications, including the cost in assets and the financial commitment.
Additionally, Montreal is keeping an eye on top 2025 draft prospect Caleb Desnoyers, a promising center from the Moncton Wildcats projected to be a top-10 pick. If acquiring him requires trading up, the Canadiens may need to conserve their assets rather than spending them on immediate upgrades.
Ultimately, Hughes faces a strategic decision: whether to invest in a young but struggling center like Cozens or prioritize drafting and developing a homegrown top-six pivot. While the Canadiens boast a deep prospect pool, leveraging assets to secure higher-ceiling players could be the key to building a more competitive team.
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