The Montreal Canadiens have been one of the more fun and electrifying teams in the NHL this season. Their young core is gelling perfectly, Caufield, Suzuki, Slafkovsky, you name it, they're working. They have their young prospects like Ivan Demidov who look like they have been playing in the show for years, and their offseason moves are proving to be everything they wished for any more. However, with all the great features the Habs have on their team, it is clear that the hole they have on the second line is massive, and it looks like their priority this season is getting that true second line center.
With Kirby Dach taking the majority of the ice time on the second line alongside Zack Bolduc and Brendan Gallagher, the Habs are in dire need of a guy who fills the need of the spot more than Dach does. It isn’t necessarily that Dach hasn’t been good for the Habs, but it is clear that the creativity and second line type of play isn’t something he is thriving at, and isn’t filling into the role well, and now that the Habs look legit, they are going to have to do some serious work to get a 2C.
The list of playoff ready 2C’s in the league who are on the trade block really isn’t that long, and it is likely that the Habs will need to make a big splash to get their guy. Sure they could go out and get a filler guy like Casey Mittelstadt or Pavel Zacha to fill the spot, but for the Habs, this season is one they are all in on, and they could be gearing up to make a massive move. Nevertheless, the obvious move is there, and it is definitely something the Habs will have thought of. In terms of available 2C’s, the Calgary Flames Nazem Kadri is the guy that most playoff hunting teams will be looking at when it comes to getting a second line guy, but the Habs trading for him in the move that makes the most sense.
As a guy who has Stanley Cup experience, and has played in a Canadian market before, Kadri is outplaying his worth in Calgary, and in the Flames case, he is a prime trade candidate. For Calgary, they know Kadri is a guy everybody will have on their radar, and his trade price will come at a premium, meaning he won't be an easy grab. However, as much sense as it makes for the Habs to make a splash on him, other avenues need to be considered if his ask is too much, and if they were really serious about contending this year, it wouldn’t be a crazy idea to look even higher.
One name which comes to mind who could definitely be a potential trade candidate, is Tage Thompson. Thompson is yet another Buffalo Sabres player who just looks destined for a move, and is looking like another Sabre whose talents will be better off somewhere else. Whether that is in Montreal, nobody knows, but it is very intriguing. Buffalo doesn't seem to be making any more strides this season, and just like Kadri, Thompson seems to be playing to a much higher standard, and is a guy who definitely has to be considered. For the Habs, they have the draft capital, and they have the valuable prospects, and if Thompson becomes available, he is the sharp shooting 2C they only could’ve dreamed about, and it would be a move which sets the tone for a franchise who will be contending for years to come.
Either way, the Canadiens will want to make a big splash. If they are serious about being a true contender this year, getting a guy like Thompson is massive, and is 100% worth the splash. The decision over trading big assets for an ageing Kadri as a rental, or trading big for an already elite guy like Thompson is one the Habs may be faced with come March, but it is going to be a consideration they will have to take. For Habs fans, they have the future locked and loaded, but with the good performances coming sooner than expected, it just makes sense to go big now, and get that guy when they need it the most.