Corey Perry and Nicolas Deslauriers Returning to the Montreal Canadiens as Early as This Summer? It's Just Been Suggested and we Love the Idea.

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Joe El-Khoury
May 15, 2023 (8:11)

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Should the Montreal Canadiens have had the golden opportunity to bring on board the prodigy Connor Bedard, Kent Hughes would have faced the hefty challenge of constructing a supportive team around the young star. This point was underlined by former forward Maxim Lapierre during Monday's "La Poche Bleue at Noon" show.

"No matter which team drafts him, it's crucial they build a good team around him. In Montreal's case, I believe it's absolutely necessary to bring on an experienced forward. I'm sorry, but looking at our current lineup, I believe a Nicolas Deslauriers or a Ryan Reaves would be essential. You need certain pieces to support him."

Intriguingly, Lapierre drops the name of former Canadien, Corey Perry, suggesting he could perfectly fit the bill of an experienced role model.

"I wouldn't hesitate to sign Corey Perry. He'd be the first player I'd want to reach out to when the free agency market opens. I wouldn't mind offering him a bit more and giving him a two-year contract, even if he's slowing down and couldn't play all 82 games."

Even if it won't be Bedard, the principle remains the same. It would be beneficial to surround talents like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Kirby Dach, Matvei Michkov (?) or Will Smith (?) with solid veterans like these.

Real, bona fide veterans.

Perry has just wrapped up the second season of the two-year contract he signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning after leaving Montreal in 2021.

Will Kent Hughes be ready to offer him a two-year contract, tying him down to the Canadiens, something Marc Bergevin previously declined to do?

Alternatively, would you consider offering such a deal to the fiery Nicolas Deslauriers?

Stay tuned...