Despite a third consecutive season out of the playoffs, Canadiens fans still demonstrate a certain level of tolerance, but it is clear that this won't last forever.
Some experts believe the Canadiens' rebuild must accelerate this summer. As Marc-Olivier Beaudoin suggests, Kent Hughes will need to add a top 6 forward to his lineup if he hopes for his team to be in the playoff race for the 2024-2025 season.
It's not the first time this topic has come up, but there are some names you haven't heard before in Beaudoin's publication X, and he proposes five players who could join the Canadiens during the offseason:
- Trevor Zegras
- Martin Necas
- Jonathan Marchessault
- Teuvo Teravainen
- Matt Duchene
If the names of Zegras and Necas have already been mentioned in some trade rumors, those of Marchessault, Teravainen, and Duchene might be less familiar because these three forwards will become unrestricted free agents on July 1st next.
Logically, Kent Hughes would want to continue his rebuilding plan and for a third consecutive year make a trade on the margins of the draft that will bring a young forward to Montreal, as was the case with Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook.
But the idea of the Canadiens signing a free agent this summer is not bad either, especially in the case of Jonathan Marchessault who could seize the opportunity to play for his childhood team.
It will be interesting to follow this file over the next few weeks, but the chances are quite good that the Canadiens organization will acquire a top 6 forward this summer.
Credit - X - Marc-Olivier-Beaudoin: Si le #CH veut lutter pour une place en séries la saison prochaine, ils devront assurément ajouter un attaquant top 6!
POLL | ||
Who would be your #1 acquisition target? | ||
Martin Necas | 208 | 36.7 % |
Jonathan Marchessault | 174 | 30.7 % |
Trevor Zegras | 144 | 25.4 % |
Matt Duchene or Teravainen | 40 | 7.1 % |
List of polls |