Canadiens Still Looking at the Center Position
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period joined Steve Kouleas and Nate Thompson on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio on Wednesday. He was asked about the Montreal Canadiens and if GM Kent Hughes is still looking to add even with the additions already.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens Want To Add But at What Cost?
Nate Thompson: “Dave, a team, I discovered is the Montreal Canadiens, and they’re the youngest team in the league. And I know they just acquired Phil Danault from the Kings, but are they not done? Like, do you see them going out and getting another piece to add to their lineup going into the playoffs, possibly?”
Dave Pagnotta: “I think this is a team that I still, is geared towards trying to make an addition at that 2C position, the addition, or the acquisition, I should say, of Phil Danault, filled a void, certainly, and he’s played well for them, so far, in a two-way style, which is what they wanted. They wanted more stability at the dot, provided that too, but they want somebody who’s going to really take over that 2C role. And that’s something they’ve been looking at since the offseason.
And hope that was Kirby Dach. Since they acquired him, he’s battled injuries. Has just not really panned out consistently, and there have been spurts of that. But I think if they could still find a way to address that 2C position that, that would be priority, or one of the top priorities, if not be top priority, for Kent Hughes and the Habs between now in the trade deadline.
NHL Rumors: The Montreal Canadiens Looking for a Physical, Scoring Middle-Six Forward
The overall preference has been to bring somebody who fits the core of this team that they can build with and continue to grow with. But if there’s an opportunity, be it a Brayden Schenn, for example, or Ryan O’Reilly, if there’s an opportunity there at a solid enough cost that’s palatable for the Habs, I think they pursue that despite the preference being somebody in their mid-20s.”
NHLRumors.com Note: The Montreal Canadiens will remain patient, as GM Kent Hughes said the other day. Unless a deal really sparks their interest, they can wait it out as long as they like before making another move. They are looking for that jam and edge to add to their lineup. As far as a 2C goes, Hughes likes what Oliver Kapanen has brought to the Canadiens and could be the answer.
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