The Montreal Canadiens currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference but are only two wins away from competing for a wild card spot. The NHL’s Eastern Conference is highly competitive, and the Canadiens aren’t ready to become sellers just yet.
As they aim to construct a promising future, the Canadiens are focused on strengthening a specific area of their roster. According to Responsible Gambler, they are seeking a reliable right-shot defenseman who can fill a top-four role.
“They’re in pursuit of a genuine right-shooting top-four defenseman who fits the age bracket of their core,” a source told rg.org. “They want someone who is established and dependable but still has potential for improvement.”
Currently, the Canadiens’ right side features Mike Matheson, David Savard, and Justin Barron, with Matheson being a left-handed shooter and Savard reportedly on the trade block since last season. This highlights a clear need for reinforcement in this area, which the Canadiens recognize.
“[Kent] Hughes and [Jeff] Gorton do not want to leave the young players on defense to fend for themselves,” the source stated. “Additionally, Kaiden Guhle, who has been playing on the right for around a year, should be allowed to play on his stronger side.”
RG also pointed out that the Canadiens showed interest in Jacob Trouba when he became available for trade with the New York Rangers, as he is a well-established right-side defenseman with a connection to GM Jeff Gorton.
Looking ahead, while the Canadiens have prospects like David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux for their right defense, both still need more development before joining the NHL full-time.
“Reinbacher and Mailloux are their top long-term options as top-four defensemen,” the source mentioned. “However, Reinbacher is facing a long-term injury and will require time, while Mailloux’s game is currently quite one-dimensional.”
It’s possible that the Canadiens’ plans won’t fully materialize until the summer of 2025, but it’s evident that they have identified key areas for improvement as they aim for a successful future in Montreal.
This article first appeared on Breakaway.
