The Montreal Canadiens should look to add a center, and at this point, it may not happen until the trade deadline.
The Canadiens have a need for a second-line center, and Heavy.com has a trade idea that would see the Habs acquiring Charlie Coyle from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Canadiens acquire:
Blue Jackets acquire:
- Jayden Struble
- 2026 second-round pick (Columbus)
- 2026 fourth-round pick
The proposed deal would be intriguing as Montreal would acquire Coyle to bolster its center position for a young defenseman, while the Blue Jackets would also get their second-round pick back that they dealt in the Patrik Laine deal, as well as a fourth-round pick.
The Canadiens would get Coyle, who’s in the final year of his six-year, $31.5 million deal. If the Blue Jackets are out of contention, he will be highly sought after at the deadline, and Montreal should be all over him. Coyle recorded 17 goals and 18 points for 35 points last season. Coyle could be the second-line center, but he would be better as a third-line center and make the Canadiens that much deeper.
In return, the Canadiens would trade a second-round pick and Struble. Struble doesn’t have a clear path to playing time in Montreal, but with Columbus, he would fit in nicely. Struble is 23 and recorded 2 goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 56 games last season. He’s entering the first year of a two-year, $2.825 million deal. Struble could be a second or third-pairing defenseman for the Blue Jackets and add some youth to the blue line.
Blue Jackets Took a Flier on Coyle
Coyle was on the trade market this summer, and the Blue Jackets went out and acquired him.
The Colorado Avalanche were looking to trade him, and Columbus took a flier on Coyle. He would be a third-line center, but if the Blue Jackets are out of a playoff position, he could be dealt.
“We are very excited to welcome Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets family,” Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said. “Charlie is an experienced, two-way player that adds size and versatility to our group, while Miles is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL who provides great energy and physicality. Beyond being outstanding players, both are high-character people who will fit in perfectly with our group and what we are building here in Columbus.”
Coyle could be one of the top trade deadline targets this year, and if the Canadiens haven’t addressed their center position, he would be a wise addition.
Canadiens Have a Need at Center
Montreal has done a lot this offseason, but one of the biggest needs is center.
Kirby Dach appears to be the second-line center, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. If his health continues to be an issue, adding a center is a bigger need.
However, Canadiens’ executive Jeff Gorton says he doesn’t think adding a center is a major need, but they will look at it.
“No, I think we’re comfortable. We know we’re not a finished product,” Gorton told RG if adding a center was needed. “We’re going to still look and try to improve our team always. A lot of people are talking about centers but we have centers in our organization, and we’re comfortable with that going into camp.”
The Canadiens still have plenty of assets to make a trade happen.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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