The Montreal Canadiens have a clear need for a second-line center and should look to the trade market to find one.
Heavy.com has a trade idea that would see the Canadiens acquire Ryan Strome from the Anaheim Ducks to replace Kirby Dach.
Canadiens acquire:
Ducks acquire:
- Owen Beck
- Mike Matheson
- 2026 second-round pick
The proposed deal would be an intriguing one as Montreal gets a second-line center, while Anaheim gets a young NHL center, an NHL defenseman, and a second-round pick, as Montreal has two of them.
The Canadiens would acquire Strome, who would be Montreal’s second-line center. Strome has two years left on his five-year, $25 million deal. Strome would be a perfect second-line center for Montreal, as the Canadiens have a need for a second-line center. He recorded 10 goals and 31 assists for 41 points in 82 games.
In return, Montreal would give up a second-round pick as well as Beck. Beck is 21 and should push for being a full-time NHL player next time out. He would fit in with the Ducks’ young roster and be a bottom-six forward.
The Canadiens would also trade Matheson to make the salary work. Matheson is entering the final year of his eight-year, $39 million deal. He would bolster the Ducks’ blue line and could be used as a trade candidate at the deadline. Matheson’s name has also come up in trade talks, so it makes sense for the Habs to move on from him. He recorded 6 goals and 25 assists for 31 points in 80 games last season.
Canadiens Have Massive Need for a Center
Montreal had a need for a second-line center entering the offseason, but it may be a bigger need now.
The Canadiens were expected to have Kirby Dach as their second-line center. However, Dach has dealt with injuries, and his status for the beginning of the season is up in the air, according to Maxime Truman of DansLesCoulisses.
“Five months after his most recent knee surgery and about forty days before the start of training camp, Kirby Dach is still not recovered and ready to play,” Truman wrote…
“Let’s just say that the chances of Dach starting the season at the same time as everyone else is two months are still pretty slim, which is enough to worry those hoping to see the Canadiens make the playoffs in 2026,” Truman added.
Dach has been plagued by injuries in his career, so the Canadiens could look to add another center.
Dach is entering the final year of his four-year $13.45 million deal. He recorded 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 57 games.
Canadiens Could Shop Matheson
With Matheson entering the final year of his deal, his name has come up in trade talks.
The Canadiens already traded Logan Mailloux this offseason, but Montreal still has young defenseman moving up in the system. With that, Canadiens insider Eric Engels revealed Matheson is on the trade block.
“Between those three guys, right you have, (Mike) Matheson, (Jayden) Struble, and Xhekaj, there’s a good chance that between now and this time next year, one of those guys is not here,” Engels said on The Sick Podcast.
Matheson has been with the Canadiens since 2022.
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