The Montreal Canadiens are likely to bring in at least one new addition to the roster in the coming days. GM Kent Hughes already addressed a key need by acquiring forward Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings in December. While the veteran has fit well with his new club, Montreal has been linked with grabbing another center ahead of the deadline.
In fact, Bleacher Report recently claimed that strengthening the position is the team’s biggest need in the trade market. Despite this, Hughes is perhaps more likely to target a blueliner before March 6. The Canadiens have been one of the most potent offensive teams in the league during the 2025-26 season. Nevertheless, they have struggled without the puck throughout the campaign. Montreal’s average of 3.20 goals allowed per game currently ranks ninth-worst in the NHL.
Because of this, The Athletic’s Arpon Basu is predicting that the Habs will soon acquire a defenseman. More specifically, the reporter claims that the club is expected to target a right-shot blueliner. Outside of Noah Dobson, Montreal typically deploys Kaiden Guhle and Alexandre Carrier on the right side of defense. Guhle, however, is left-handed.
While Basu believes the Canadiens will land a quality blueliner, he also thinks the club may have to overpay for the addition. “When demand is higher than supply, prices generally inflate, and the Canadiens are unlikely to want to overpay,” writes Basu. “But it could happen because it represents a clear area the Canadiens can improve, balancing out their left-shot-heavy defense corps.”
Montreal Canadiens not the Only NHL Team in Need of Defensive Help
GettyJustin Faulk is arguably the top right-shot blueliner in the trade market.
As Basu points out, quality right-handed NHL defensemen are in high demand at the moment. The market for such players even got a little smaller on March 3 when the Edmonton Oilers acquired Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks. Murphy, a right-shot defenseman, has 13 points in 60 games so far this season. Edmonton sent Chicago a 2028 second-round draft pick in the deal.
While Murphy is now off the table, Montreal still has options. The Athletic’s most recent trade board has four right-shot blueliners in their top 20 available players. St. Louis Blues star Justin Faulk headlines the highly-rated quartet. The Blues are expected to want a significant package in return for the veteran, including a first-round pick and other assets.
Outside of Faulk, the Canadiens could also target Tyler Myers, Dougie Hamilton, or Rasmus Ristolainen. All three defensemen are likely to be dealt at some point in the next few days. Money, however, is an issue in Montreal. According to PuckPedia.com, the Canadiens have just over $1 million in current cap space.
Montreal Needs to Offload Highly-Paid Star Forward
Any deal to bring in a quality blueliner essentially hinges on the departure of Patrik Laine. The star forward has only played five games so far this season and has a significant $8.7 million AAV salary. Montreal is willing to retain a chunk of the player’s earnings to help facilitate a trade.
Although they do not have a ton of money to work with, the Canadiens do have attractive prospects to trade. ESPN previously rated Montreal as having the fifth-best prospect pool in the NHL. While they have assets, Hughes will be hoping that he can grab a right-shot blueliner without giving up too much in return.
Canadiens Predicted to Overpay for Top Trade Target