The Montreal Canadiens have been active in free agency and could shop a young 21-year-old.
The Canadiens were the youngest team to make the playoffs last season and have already made two big deals to acquire Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc. However, Montreal may not be done.
Canadiens insider Anthony Marcotte spoke on BPM Sports and believes Montreal will look to trade Joshua Roy.
“I see less and less of a happy future for Joshua Roy in Montreal. And right now, I’m convinced he’s on the market for a deal,” Marcotte said. “If they can get it done in a trade, I’m confident they’ll do it.”
Roy is from Quebec and is playing for his hometown team. However, the 21-year-old, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NHL Draft and doesn’t have a clear-cut role with the Canadiens.
Roy is in the final year of his three-year, entry-level deal. He’s a good third or fourth-line forward who brings in speed and physicality. However, with Montreal not having a clear-cut role for Roy, the Canadiens could shop him for a mid-round pick.
Roy recorded 2 goals and 0 assists for 2 points in 12 games. In his NHL career, he’s skated in 35 games, recording 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points.
Canadiens Continue to Explore Trade Market
Montreal has already made two big trades, but the Canadiens aren’t done there.
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said he is still exploring options to make Montreal the best team possible.
“My focus is more so on what we can do to build a team that’s capable of competing for the Stanley Cup,” Hughes said.
Hughes, meanwhile, says the team won’t be perfect in the summer, as the team could look to add pieces in the summer. But, the GM is hopeful to build the best team he can over the summer.
“The reality is, we’re not going to put the perfect team together over the course of one summer,” Hughes said. “We recognize we have other things we’d like to accomplish… I don’t see us accomplishing everything all at once.”
The Fourth Period, meanwhile, reported that the Canadiens entertain trade inquiries from other clubs, but moving out key players seems unlikely.
Although Montreal is over the cap right now, the Canadiens can put Carey Price on LTIR and add his $10.5 million salary into cap space.
Bolduc Excited to Play for Canadiens
Montreal did add a young forward to the roster, acquiring Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues for Logan Mailloux.
It was an intriguing move, trading two former 2021 first-round picks for each other. After being acquired by the Canadiens, Bolduc reveals he grew up a Montreal fan and is eager to play for the team.
“I’d say it was a mix of emotions,” Bolduc said. “On one hand, for me, I’m leaving an organization where I made a lot of strong connections, where I met a lot of great people and made friends for life. On the other hand, it’s exciting. I grew up watching the Montreal Canadiens… I’m very excited.”
Bolduc recorded 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points in 72 games last season.
Insider: Canadiens Looking to Trade 21-Year-Old Forward