The Montreal Canadiens are trying to move on in their rebuilding efforts following a difficult 2023-24 season in which they finished dead last in the Atlantic Division. Although injuries played a role, the Habs had a poor season, as they have yet to make the playoffs since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.
According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the Canadiens are looking for two players who may help the team return to the playoffs in 2025.
Prior to the NHL Draft on June 28, Habs general manager Kent Hughes has spoken with Martin Necas of the Carolina Hurricanes and Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks, according to the hockey insider.
“Other league sources suggest Montreal has inquired with the Carolina Hurricanes on Martin Necas, as have half the teams in the NHL,” LeBrun said. “I also believe Anaheim and Montreal have re-connected on Zegras, however, I’m not convinced that’s a path the Habs will ultimately pursue aggressively.”
According to LeBrun, a postseason berth next year is “most likely still out of reach” for the Habs, but the organization intends to play competitive hockey until the 2024-25 season, Hughes said.
“We’ve acknowledged that it’s important we take a step,” the general manager stated. “I guess the extent of that step is something that happens over the course of the year and is somewhat determined by whether we accomplish more this summer. We’ll try. We will look into ways to improve our team. But with the continuous caveat that it must improve our team without jeopardizing what we’re attempting to do here.”
Improving the team is clearly critical to returning to postseason contention, but health will also play an important factor.
Last season, the Canadiens lost Kirby Dach for the whole season after tearing both his ACL and MCL in only the team’s second game. That was a severe setback, as Alex Newhook missed two months due to a high ankle sprain that occurred shortly after.
Hughes made two major acquisitions around draft time, Dach and Newhook, and he may attempt to make another splash ahead of the 2024 festivities in Las Vegas at the end of June, according to LeBrun.
“I think so,” Hughes replied when asked about making a deal before the draft. “If we can get a player, if we can trade up in the draft, we have to look at any way that we can improve this team.”We won’t be constrained to only doing things that will help us improve next season. But if it happens, consider it frosting on the cake.”
Based on those statements, it’s understandable that Hughes would have checked in on Necas and Zegras, both of whom might quickly help the club.
Zegras needs a change of environment, and pairing him with his old US development program and World Junior teammate Cole Caufield would make a lot of sense. He’s a natural center, but he may move to the wing and thrive in a new system, especially if he teams up with Caufield and Nick Suzuki.
A winger of Necas’ ability is likely to command a greater price, given his good 2023-24 season in Carolina. He also performed well in the playoffs, and the Czech forward is expected to command a premium price.
Hughes might make a trade as late as draft night, given the Canadiens own the fifth choice. Although Macklin Celebrini will be selected first overall by the San Jose Sharks, choices 2-4 remain uncertain and may influence the front office’s judgments on the draft floor.
That’s obviously intriguing, as transactions done on draft night are always particularly exciting. It’ll be interesting to see if Necas or Zegras have found a new home by then, and if one of them will be in Montreal.
