Since the season began, the Canadiens’ offense has shown a lack of intensity and toughness.
Elliotte Friedman has pinpointed three players that Kent Hughes should consider for bolstering his team’s lineup. He discussed this during an intermission segment at Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Blues, noting that Montreal is in search of a physically strong forward. The Canadiens’ general manager is not necessarily focused on acquiring someone with high skill but is rather looking for a player who can inject some grit into the third and fourth lines.
Friedman identified three potential trade targets for the Canadiens: Samuel Blais, currently with the AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks; Liam O’Brien from the Utah team; and Nicolas Deslauriers of the Philadelphia Flyers. Notably, Deslauriers would be returning to the Canadiens, having played for the team for two seasons between 2017 and 2019.
These players are known for their energetic play and could provide valuable depth for the team, likely at a reasonable cost. They should be considered as trade options if rumors continue about the Canadiens’ interest in finding reinforcements for their lower lines.
Personally, I would definitely consider taking a chance on Sammy Blais. Additionally, it seems that Montreal Canadiens fans have a particular affection for Quebec native Nicolas Deslauriers, who currently plays for the Flyers.
