In this edition of the Montreal Canadiens News & Rumours, general manager (GM) Kent Hughes has his work cut out for him as the team continues its most critical point of the rebuild. The Olympic break may be here, but it doesn’t stop the news surrounding the Canadiens. The club and its players still have needs to fill, Olympic-sized challenges await, and players returning from injury pose a challenge to the roster.
Olympic Challenge
Nick Suzuki has arrived in Italy for the 2026 Olympics. The first practice showed us Canada head coach Jon Cooper’s plans for lines early on and had the Canadiens’ captain on the right wing of the second line.
Seeing him lined up with Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon and Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand may come as a bit of a surprise to some. However, Suzuki started his NHL career playing on the wing. The roster construction seems to point to Suzuki’s line as being used to play a matchup role against top lines, while also grinding offence with a mix of physicality, skill, and defensive coverage. Canada’s success will rely on its superstars like MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, but it is the unsung efforts of players like Suzuki that could make the difference.
The Slovak Mountain
Since his breakout performance at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where Juraj Slafkovsky was the leading scorer and MVP and helped Slovakia win its first Olympic hockey medal (bronze), his game has grown significantly on both the international and professional stages. At just 17 in Beijing, he showcased elite scoring instincts and physical maturity beyond his years, leading to his selection as the first-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 2026 Winter Olympic Games pose a true challenge as gaming analytics don’t look favourably upon Slovakia’s chances at repeating as a medalist.
His evolution has centred on refining his physical game and integrating his size, strength, and shot into sustained offensive pressure. He became noticeably more assertive by increasing his shooting volume, engaging more effectively in board battles and forechecking. This led him into becoming a play driver for the Canadiens’ second line. This is good news for Slovakia as his point production has remained strong, and he continues to contribute in all situations, including power play and even strength, while also amassing hits and blocked shots that attest to his growing two-way responsibility.
A strong showing could boost his confidence as the Canadiens gear up for the playoff push, and a short change of scenery to him a taste of home may be able to recharge his batteries ahead of the stretch run to the NHL playoffs.
Canadiens Like to Move It Move It?
Since the NHL returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off, teams have played 82 games through to the Olympic break. Over that time span, the Canadiens have been one of the best teams in the league, sitting fifth overall with 106 points. Their stars have stepped up as Suzuki gas 106 points, Lane Hutson has 83 points, and Cole Caufield has 43 goals. Montreal has ridden consistent, highlight-reel performances to this success and has shown to be a difficult team to play against.
The club can also boast having the NHL rookie points leader (Ivan Demidov), the NHL rookie assists leader (also Demidov), the NHL rookie goaltender with the most wins (Jakub Dobes), and the NHL rookie goals leader (Oliver Kapanen). Having so many high performers, there is no doubt fans will look to management to make waves at the 2026 Trade Deadline as many will believe the window is open. However, they may need to be satisfied with the players already on hand.
Montreal hasn’t been able to dominate and put together long winning streaks, but has been consistently in games and has earned points even when they are outplayed, according to the advanced statistical metrics. Considering they are second place in the Atlantic Division, with a game in hand ahead of the Detroit Red Wings, fans may be hoping for a big home run swing on a high-scoring forward. However, the Canadiens have already proven that they score goals as they are tied for second in the NHL for goals scored.
According to president Jeff Gorton, he and Hughes have spent a lot of time analyzing their next steps. That next step is vital to the rebuilding process as they need to find a balance between the club’s long-term vision and the here and now. Yet he did go on to state that “We’d like to be aggressive, and we will be, if need be”.
Laine on the Move?
Patrick Laine was practicing with the team on the ice in a regular jersey, and while he seems good to go, he hasn’t been cleared yet by medical staff to return to play (that is most likely to change after the Olympic break). The issue now is that the Canadiens can make room on the roster, but don’t really have a role for him to jump into. They’re nearly completely healthy, so they would have to move a body to get him on the roster, and fitting him into a lineup that’s winning more games than losing is no easy task.
Who comes out? Is it Kirby Dach from the top line, who is playing the forechecking style required of him? Zachary Bolduc on the third line, who is playing a more physical style while playing at the pace head coach Martin St. Louis demands? Compounded with Alexandre Texier and Alex Newhook returning, the Canadiens need to find roles for an entire line work of forwards even though there is no desire to alter the second or fourth lines.
According to Marco D’Amico of RG Media, it is highly likely Laine is heading to the Metropolitan Division. In particular, the Carolina Hurricanes could be the team looking to bring in the Finnish sniper. D’Amico’s rationale for this trade hinges on a connection between Laine and the Hurricanes:
“The Carolina Hurricanes have significant cap space and have two of Laine’s best friends, Sebastian Aho and Nikolaj Ehlers, on the roster”.
-Marco D’Amico
Another interesting possibility, due to rumblings that Montreal prefers to not retain salary, is the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have close to $12 million in projected cap space, have established centre depth and could use an extra offensive punch. Also, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, has been spotted in Montreal at games even though there are no matchups between the two clubs remaining this season. Laine is still a proven NHL player with an expiring contract. While it’s unlikely Montreal gets much in return for him, the goal here seems to be for Hughes to find Laine a landing spot that provides him the best-possible opportunity to showcase himself and earn a new contract.
In this case, doing what is best for the player is also what is best for the Canadiens as a trade would free up a roster spot while showing the league that the club also values players and their families. This can only help their reputation, especially when it comes time to woo a free agent or have a player waive a no-movement clause (NMC) to come to Montreal.
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