The Montreal Canadiens are off to a hot start to begin the 2025-26 season. Despite having the youngest average roster in the NHL, the Habs currently top the Atlantic Division with 22 points. The youthful team is being led by budding stars such as Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, and Calder Trophy candidate Ivan Demidov.
While Montreal seems set for the foreseeable future, they are trying to add even more firepower to the roster. Hockey insider Marco D’Amico is reporting that the Habs are among multiple NHL teams to check in on Buffalo Sabres superstar Tage Thompson. The center is seen as perhaps the top potential trade target of the 2025-26 campaign.
The Canadiens, however, will have plenty of competition in the chase for Thompson. “Several teams — including the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks — have contacted Buffalo to inquire about the direction the Sabres plan to take with their star forward,” claimed D’Amico.
Buffalo Sabres Resisting a Tage Thompson Trade for Now
GettyTage Thompson will be a top target for multiple NHL teams ahead of the trade deadline.
Although the Canadiens are asking Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams about Thompson, the exec is resisting a potential trade at the moment. “According to a well-placed source, Adams’ response has been consistent: ‘Not available at this time.’ The Sabres are reportedly looking to avoid any panic moves for now,” continued D’Amico.
“With only a five-team no-trade list, Buffalo could likely draw massive interest for Thompson if they ever decide to move him later this season or in the offseason. For now, though, the Sabres are not entertaining trade talks for Thompson.”
Buffalo is, once again, struggling to begin the season. The Sabres currently find themselves at the opposite end of the Atlantic Division with just 14 points in 15 games. With the team likely set to continue their playoff draught, many experts expect Adams to offload some key players in the coming months.
Thompson would undoubtedly be the ultimate prize of the bunch. The center netted 44 goals to go along with 28 assists in 76 games during the 2024-25 campaign.
Canadiens Will Have to Fend Off Other Top Teams to Strike a Deal with Buffalo
Along with Thompson’s ability to take over games, many top contenders are in need of acquiring a quality center. This lengthy list includes the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, and Minnesota Wild. Because of this, the Sabres can be patient at the moment. They can eventually hope another team blows them away by offering a massive haul in return for their star.
Buffalo certainly has experience in these particular situations. The team previously traded away fellow star Jack Eichel to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in November of 2021. In return, the Sabres collected Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, a 2022 first-round pick, and a 2023 second-round pick. Tuch has been a hit in Buffalo, but the jury is still out on the two draft picks involved in the deal.
Because so many teams will be interested in Thompson, Montreal may find it difficult to win the sweepstakes. Buffalo also could be hesitant to deal the center to a division rival. Thompson would then potentially face his old team up to four times per year. Nevertheless, the Canadiens have the prospect pool and cap space to pull off a big deal in the near future.
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