The Montreal Canadiens have been on the hunt to add a centre, and one of their targets is officially off the board. Montreal has been closely linked to Mason McTavish since last offseason, and after reports surfaced that he was available, the Canadiens were rumoured to be keeping tabs on the young centre. However, that dream is officially over as the Anaheim Ducks traded McTavish to the St Louis Blues for the 15th and 29th overall picks in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. It was reported on Thursday that the Canadiens were out of the running for McTavish, with the Ducks weighing two offers from the New York Rangers and Blues. Ultimately, the Blues won the sweepstakes, and now the Canadiens will have to pivot and identify a new target if they want to upgrade their centre position.
Make Shane Wright a Canadiens after all?
Going into the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the Canadiens had a decision to make: Juraj Slafkovsky or Shane Wright. Ultimately, Montreal took Slafkovsky and has looked like the right selection so far, but with Wright struggling in Seattle, could the Canadiens pull off a move to now have both players? Montreal needs a centre, and while Wright has yet to look like a legitimate top-six player, the Canadiens should take a chance on him while his value is likely at its lowest.
In his first full season with the Kraken in 2024-25, Wright showed some promise. In 79 games, Wright had 19 goals and 25 assists, but this past season is one he would like to forget. He finished the 2025-26 season with 12 goals and 15 assists in 74 games, a steep drop off from the year before. It would be a gamble for sure, but the Canadiens are running out of centre options, and Wright could benefit from playing alongside an extremely skilled player like Ivan Demidov.
Go all in on Dylan Larkin
Trading for Larkin will not be easy, as it seems he would like to be traded to another American team. Â However, with the Florida Panthers trading for Brady Tkachuk, one of the teams on his trade list, maybe Montreal could entice him with the opportunity to join fellow Americans Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield. Trading for Larkin would be a win-now type of deal and would likely cost the Canadiens some of their top prospects and high-end draft picks.
Fit-wise, it makes perfect sense. He would slot in on the second line alongside Demidov, giving the Canadiens two lines that they could depend on for offence every single night. Montreal’s game is built on speed, skill, and being responsible in the defensive zone, all elements Larkin has in his game. The biggest problem with trying to get a deal done would be Larkin’s no-trade clause and whether he would be willing to waive it, considering Montreal was not one of the teams on his original list. Montreal has the pieces to get the deal done, but the question will be whether they are willing to move mountains for a player who will be 30 by the time next season starts.
Add us as a preferred source on Google