While the Montreal Canadiens have had a busy start to the offseason and are currently over the cap, they’re still looking to add to their offensive group. According to RG’s Marco D’Amico, the Habs are exploring both free agency and trade options to add a forward.
Among those options, D’Amico reports that the Canadiens remain interested in trading for St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou — a player Montreal has previously been linked to. Playing all 82 games last season, he posted 36 goals and 70 points. It represented his third consecutive 30-goal campaign, and the 26-year-old added three goals in seven playoff games. Kyrou has five years remaining on his eight-year, $ 65MM contract, which carries a cap hit of $ 8.125 million annually. While Kyrou remains a popular name in trade discussions, any deal would have to overcome the hurdle of his no-trade clause.
Another player the Habs are keeping tabs on, per D’Amico, is NHL veteran Evgeny Kuznetsov, who is eyeing an NHL comeback. Kuznetsov, 33, appeared in 39 KHL games for SKA St. Petersburg last season and scored 37 points. He signed a four-year contract with the club last summer, but his contract was terminated in early April, presumably so he could return to North America.
As a staple for the Washington Capitals, Kuznetsov put up 568 points for the team in 723 games. He added 73 points in 97 playoff games for Washington and was nearly a point-per-game producer in the NHL as recently as the 2021-22 season (78 points in 79 games). However, his production dropped off after that, and Kuznetsov later revealed that his struggles with rheumatoid arthritis — which he says he now manages more effectively — contributed to his decline. He last played in the NHL during the 2023-24 season.
Of note, Kuznetsov served as a teammate and mentor to Ivan Demidov in Russia. Demidov signed a three-year, entry-level deal with Montreal in April, and a reunion with Kuznetsov could provide him with a familiar support system as he begins his NHL career.
No matter who the Canadiens decide to pursue, the team is currently over the salary cap by more than $5MM (according to PuckPedia). Therefore, General Manager Kent Hughes needs to trade away some contracts not only to make new additions but also to ensure the team is compliant with the salary cap.
Assuming the Blues were willing to trade Kyrou after trading Bolduc, and assuming Kyrou was willing to waive his NTC, what would Montreal even give up? The Blues aren’t trading Kyrou for futures.
Yeah I’m a bit confused by this as well. I have some questions on how competitive they’ll remain going forward but they certainly shouldn’t be sellers at this point. And yeah basically anyone is available for the right price. Montreal could also say their interested in trading for MacKinnon but that ain’t happening either.
Kuz seems like a great fit.
Like Rod, Marty is a work ethic guy. Not sure someone known as the Cocaine Bear fits in.
I made my comments on the assumption he’s grown since then.
Though to suggest someone cannot work hard and also partake in drug use seems a bit shortsighted.
Yeah…ask all the Wallstreet Junkies from the 80’s & 90’s about it.
Funny, I literally watched Boiler Room yesterday.
Buffalo had a better goal differential than Montreal last year. Canadiens fans are the most delusional fan base of all pro sports. Montreal has one above average line, one average line, and two below average lines – and a huge hole at 2C.
Will be years before Montreal makes the Playoffs again.
Eric Engels is the leader of the cult of delusion btw.
Possibly.
But they did make the playoffs this past season, and the finals in 2021.
While the Sabres …, well, need I say?
The Habs surrendered the same number of goals as the Kraken and scored two less. Now, Montreal started off horrible and the trend has been positive. They also added a defenseman who can make a case as a legit No.1… but I think folks should prepare to be disappointed.
You also understand the age of the core is why people are excited. They should improve. Suzuki, caufield, slavkovsky, demidov, bolduc, Dobson, hutson, guhle. All those names are 25 and under. So basically the first two lines and top 3 defenders.
Mmm… I agree the future is promising, I just think it might be a bit further off than folks expect. You’re absolutely correct, this IS a young team.
If you back out empty net goals, the Rangers, Bluejackets, Mammoth, Sabers, Kraken and Canucks are all teams that missed the playoffs but had a better goal differential than the Canadiens.
There’s still work to be done… I think.
How many years Ted?
When is Ted Nolan getting rehired by the Sabers again?
Have they done anything since they got rid of him?
So as a Habs fan myself, I will say maybe expectations are a little high for this year. I still think they’re a playoff team, but again, more then likely a wildcard spot.
When can u last say any kind of excitement for the Sabers going into a season.
Probably why they traded for a #1 dman, traded away their extra goalie and got a really good player in Bolduc. Now trust the development under Marty.
Worth mentioning that they were trending to be a top team late in the season. Unlike Buffalo.
For a couple of months a few deep thinking members of the Sabres crowd has been yapping about their goal differential as if it determines playoff seeding. Another of their classics is “except for the 13-game losing streak, the Sabres had a winning record!”.
Kuznetsov? Really? Why?
As explained, his familiarity with Demidov.
But that old school narrative doesn’t make him any better, Younger, Or faster. It’s not much of a plan, Who’s centering this line? Demidov’s mom? Think for yourself, Don’t repeat everything you hear from all these socalled insiders.
Chemistry. It exists.
Also maybe having another international player that speaks the same language and has had career missteps can help his growth in other facets.
Kyrou for who on the Canadiens? Bolduc and a 1st? doesn’t look like a fit.
I mean they already made a trade for a forward with the Blues. Don’t see why they’d circle back either.