Canadiens Trade Options: Save The Top Prospects
The Montreal Canadiens’ prospect pool is no longer as deep as it once was, after top young talents such as Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson graduated in recent seasons.
Still, several high-upside pieces remain and they must be handled with care.
(Editor’s Note: This is an article written by special contributor Tyler Major- McNicol. You can follow him on X by clicking here.)
Patience has been the cornerstone of the rebuild, and relative to other franchises the plan has progressed quite well. That success, however, should not obscure the realities of rebuilding a professional sports team.
More patience will be required this coming season, and quite possibly into 2027-28.
The two most pressing needs for the Canadiens are a top-four right-shot defenceman and a second-line centre. This piece focuses on the latter: top-six pivot conundrum.
As is typical in the offseason, rumours have circulated widely, bringing with them a range of potential trade scenarios and perceived fits. The presence of a winger with elite upside like Ivan Demidov, already capable of driving play on the second line, has only intensified the debate across social media.
One rumour that has resurfaced with training camps approaching involves Detroit Red Wings captain and No. 1 centre Dylan Larkin, who is said to be seeking a change of scenery. Larkin’s speed and elite skill set would make him an outstanding fit in Montreal, yet the widely floated asking price has consistently included some of the team’s top young players.
Of course, Larkin has indicated a preference for specific trade destinations, and Montreal is not among them. The broader point remains unchanged: landing a premier centre in the NHL carries a steep cost. Any deal for a player of Larkin’s calibre would almost certainly require the Canadiens to part with one of their top-five prospects.
Pump The Brakes
Trading away one of Michael Hage, Alexander Zharovsky, Jacob Fowler, David Reinbacher, or Gleb Pugachyov is the type of move that could haunt the Canadiens.
Hage, in particular, has the potential to become the second-line centre that the Canadiens sorely lack right now, and with the start of his junior season with Michigan less than a month away, it won’t be long before he puts his final year of NCAA development into top gear.
Zharovsky has the potential and elite puckhandling skills that simply cannot be taught, and with some focus on his two-way game and compete level, he looks to have all the traits of an elite top-six winger.
Teenagers these days! 18-year-old defenseman Nikita Shcherbakov scored his first KHL career goal from the crease off Alexander Zharovsky’s feed! pic.twitter.com/79LEaZihI3
— KHL (@khl_eng) September 7, 2026
Fowler shone bright during his first year of professional hockey with the Laval Rocket, to the tune of a sparkling 19-7-2 record across 27 starts. He also got some playing time with the Canadiens, posting a 9-6-2 record in 17 starts.
Then there is Reinbacher, who has had a frustrating start to his professional career in North America, but he suited up for 57 games in 2025-2026, posting a respectable 19 assists and 24 points, while growing his strong two-way game. He also happens to be a right-handed defenceman with size, one of the most sought-after players in the hockey landscape.
Lastly, there is Pugachyov, who hasn’t proven a lot offensively to this point, but his value is measured in his defensive game and his physically imposing style, which resembles that of a throwback player. The Canadiens’ 2026 first-round selection was picked there for a reason: he has the tools necessary to one day play in the NHL.
It seems counter-productive to deal such players when they are all on the cusp of making an impact with the Canadiens.
Hold The Line
The 2025-26 season saw the second-line centre role filled by committee. While far from ideal, Ivan Demidov still produced 62 points and finished as runner-up for the Calder Memorial Trophy, behind only New York Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer.
The supporting cast carries clear limitations: Oliver Kapanen has defensive shortcomings, Alex Newhook is inconsistent in the faceoff circle, and Kirby Dach continues to struggle with injuries. Yet, Kapanen’s rookie campaign offered genuine encouragement—22 goals and 15 assists in 82 games while facing elevated competition as a centre. If he can tighten his defensive play and keep pace alongside Demidov or Newhook, the Canadiens may be in stronger shape than many currently believe.
Kapanen does not need to become the long-term second-line solution. He simply has to be reliable enough to bridge the gap.
As for Dach, many have written him off because of his extensive injury history. But it’s important to remember that mobile, 6-foot-4 centres are rare. Should he improve his faceoff numbers and commit more consistently to the defensive side of the game, he could at least help fill the vacancy until Hage arrives.
General manager Kent Hughes possesses one of the league’s best poker faces, so his next move remains anyone’s guess. Rather than surrendering a king’s ransom in prospects for a short-term fix, standing pat and waiting for Hage may prove the wiser course.
In that approach, the Canadiens would continue prioritizing patience over immediate gratification, thereby avoiding the common pitfalls that come with acquiring aging veterans in the NHL in as desperate attempt to accelerate the rebuild process.
