The Montreal Canadiens have gotten off to an impressive start to the 2025-26 season and it was one they expected after their offseason moves. Like any contending team, they won’t be satisfied with what they have, as at least one upgrade is on the horizon this season.
“I think (Canadiens’ GM) Kent Hughes…he’s going to try and do something. He’s still looking for that number two center,” said Darren Dreger on Barn Burner. This has been present because Kirby Dach can’t seem to stay healthy, is out with a lower-body injury, and is in the last year of his contract. Oliver Kapanen has been a welcomed surprise, but he is not the second line center Montreal is looking for this season.
On Insider Trading, Chris Johnston also said, “The most pressing need certainly is for another centerman. Montreal has been on that file for a while now. It was a market they were exploring over the summer. I do think at some point…you’ll see them make that kind of move.”
Even with Dach out and Kapanen centering the second line, the center depth has not been a problem so far for the 6-2-0 Canadiens. They have Nick Suzuki playing amazingly, Kapanen outperforming expectations by a wide margin, and Jake Evans doing a lot in his third line role.
Kapanen Isn’t Quite the 2nd Line Center Montreal Wants
Kapapen is certainly working towards being the second line center that the Montreal Canadiens need, but he’s just 22 years old and has played 26 games in the NHL. He has four goals this season in eight games, but is only playing 12:37 per game. In comparison, Evans is skating 15:51 per game.
Kapanen sees hardly any ice time on the power play (0:17 per game) and is a little more active on the penalty kill (1:49 per game), but he isn’t in as active a role as the second line is on most or all of the other teams.
“What we’re seeing from him is this guy who can play a second or third line role and be really good at it,” said Steve Ellis of Daily Faceoff on Kapanen. “All the signs at every level show that this guy can produce, but that’s not really his game. It’s more about being this player that can get to the front of the net… It doesn’t seem to matter who he plays with, he’s making something happen.”
Kapanen has found chemistry with Alex Newhook and Ivan Demidov, but they play much more than he does. 10 other Canadiens forwards have a higher average time on ice this season than Kapanen, and Patrik Laine, who is currently out with an injury, has one second less. Kapanen is playing well in his role, but for the short term, that role is limited. For the long-term, he can grow into what the Canadiens are seeing he can be.
Finding a Center Isn’t Easy for Canadiens
There is a reason why the Montreal Canadiens haven’t brought in a second line center. This is the time of the season when trades are nearly non-existent. Teams want to wait to see how their group performs and it’s not generally time to panic so early in the season.
The Canadiens will likely have to wait until teams are really looking to move someone, whether that is due to performance and needing a change of scenery, they’ve fallen out of the playoff race, or something else.
The Canadiens are also not the only team looking for a top-6 center, with some teams even more desperate to add someone. The expectation is that a move isn’t made soon, but one will happen this season if Montreal stays in contention for a playoff spot.
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