Acquisitions for the Canadiens: two targeted players, including a surprise that the fans love

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Elias Edmonson
June 4, 2023 (10:02)

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If the draft is quickly approaching and it will be crucial for the Canadiens, Kent Hughes should also not neglect the preparation for the opening of free agency.

On this subject, Maxim Lapierre would like to see some offensive support for guys like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Kirby Dach.

To do this, the former CH player has targeted two players, namely Tyler Bertuzzi and Ryan Reaves. He discussed all of this on Thursday night, on the microphone of Jean-Charles Lajoie, during his JiC show.

Tyler Bertuzzi

I think he's the kind of personality that's missing in the organization. A guy like Bertuzzi... his competitiveness, his physical game... I think that's missing from the Canadiens' top two lines. He's still a young player in a way, at 28 years old. - Maxim Lapierre

This season with the Red Wings and Bruins, the forward accumulated 8 goals and 22 assists, for a total of 30 points, in 50 games. We remember that he had missed several games in the middle of the campaign, following hand injuries. However, he was able to finish the season, having been traded to the Bruins at the trade deadline. The 2022-2023 season was the last of his two-year contract which was valued on average, at $4.75M.

Ryan Reaves

And Reaves, on the other hand, could take some work off Arber Xhekaj. Xhekaj should not become a player who fights 82 times a year because everyone wants to try him. Reaves is a good veteran in the locker room, I've had him as a teammate. It's very important for young players. A player like him brings a certain respect. - Maxim Lapierre

For his part, Reaves' reputation is already well established. The tough guy finished the 2022-2023 season with 7 fights and a total of 15 points, in 73 games. Like Bertuzzi, Reaves was traded during the last campaign, moving from the Rangers to the Minnesota Wild. He had signed a one-year deal valued at $1.75M, last summer, with the Blue Shirts.