It is hard not to be a fan of what the Montreal Canadiens have done this off-season. After taking a nice step forward in 2024-25, general manager Kent Hughes has improved the club's roster with some excellent moves. Among the most notable moves was acquiring defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders and trading for Zack Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues.
Overall, both the Canadiens' blueline and depth on the wings have improved with their summer moves. Yet, they still have one more big move to make before this off-season can be considered a perfect one for them – acquiring another top-six center.
When taking a look at the Canadiens' current roster, it is clear that they could use an upgrade at their second-line center spot. While they have options to consider like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, neither player is necessarily a proven top-six center at this stage. Thus, with the Canadiens looking to take another step forward and having plenty of potential trade assets to work with, they should work hard to land that much-needed 2C before the season is here.
If the Canadiens add another true top-six center this off-season, it would help them become a more significant threat in the Eastern Conference. Having strong depth down the middle is a major necessity for teams with high expectations, so it will be fascinating to see if the Canadiens can swing a trade for an impactful center from here.
Canadiens: About The Joe Veleno SigningWhile most Montreal Canadiens fans were hoping their team would find a way to add a second-line center, GM Kent Hughes went out and signed free agent Joe Veleno to a one-year, one-way contract.
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