The Montreal Canadiens made significant strides during the 2024-25 season and have remained active this offseason. They secured defensemen Noah Dobson and Zach Bordook from the St. Louis Blues in deals with the New York Islanders. However, there remains a chance the Canadiens might make an additional impactful acquisition before the new season begins.
Examining the Canadiens’ current lineup shows a clear need to strengthen the second line center position. With that in mind, here are three potential trade targets who could bolster the Canadiens in that role.
Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild
Marco Rossi has been the subject of trade speculations this offseason, and he could be an ideal fit for the Canadiens. At 23 years old, Rossi offers both immediate impact and long-term potential to become a core member of the team. It’s worth noting that Rossi is a restricted free agent (RFA) and is expected to seek a salary increase from his prior cap hit of $863,334.
Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks
Another young center linked to trade rumors is Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks. Like Rossi, McTavish is an RFA and could provide the Canadiens with a significant boost. Standing 6-foot-1, he achieved career highs last season with 22 goals, 30 assists, 52 points, and 70 hits in 76 games. Although McTavish’s size and skills make him a great candidate for the Canadiens’ roster, he remains one of the Ducks’ top prospects, so any trade would require a substantial offer, making this acquisition a challenging one.
Pavel Zacha, Boston Bruins
Interestingly, the Canadiens and Boston Bruins have completed their first trade since 2001, exchanging draft picks. Although these rivals rarely trade, Pavel Zacha emerges as a sensible target for Montreal. Zacha has been frequently mentioned as a possible trade candidate as the Bruins reshape their roster. Last season, he scored 14 goals and amassed 47 points in 82 games, following strong performances of 57 points in 2022-23 and 59 points in 2023-24. His solid two-way play and affordable $4.75 million contract through 2026-27 make him an attractive option to fill the Canadiens’ second-line center position.
Additionally, some promising young talent is emerging, including Alexander Zharovsky, the Canadiens’ 34th overall pick in the recent draft, who recently celebrated a strong start in the KHL tournament with a 3-3 victory for his team Salavat Yulaev UFA.
Fan Take:
This offseason activity highlights the Canadiens’ clear commitment to strengthening their lineup, especially at center, which has been a crucial need. These potential moves could reshape the team’s competitiveness and excite fans eager for a return to dominance in the NHL.
