Training camp is only a few weeks away for the Montreal Canadiens, and it has been a relatively quiet offseason to this point. However, just because a deal hasn't happened yet doesn't mean one won't, and it could be in the near future.
Recently, Pierre McGuire was on Toronto Sports Rush and had this to say about the Atlantic Division: "Toronto's made some moves, Montreal is about to make a move, I think. You know Florida made moves, Tampa Bay made moves, but Detroit is floundering."
The point of the quote was that the rest of the Atlantic Division has improved while the Red Wings haven't but it was interesting that he included the Canadiens in this group. The reason is they haven't made any moves but McGuire seems confident that they are about to.
Reading between the lines of the latest Canadiens rumors
It was an interesting quote to say the least, but the question now is what exactly McGuire might be referring to for the Montreal Canadiens. They have been connected to Kirill Marchenko for most of the summer, and that is still a potential option if the Blue Jackets are willing to entertain offers.
While that would be the big move, the obvious moves would be around restricted free agents Zachary Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj. The Canadiens could be looking to re-sign both, but as Stu Cowan with the Montreal Gazette wrote about, they might be sign-and-trade candidates.
However, McGuire groups the Canadiens with the Maple Leafs, Panthers, and Lightning, and all those teams made improvements and notable ones, so it's hard to imagine that he is referring to just re-signing those two players.
One thing that has been clear is that general manager Kent Hughes is willing to have conversations with teams about players who may not be rumored to be available. That is what happened last summer with the trade for Noah Dobson.
The big roster need is in their Top 6, and that is probably the focus if they make a notable move. In that case, it is hard to know exactly who might be a trade target, but Adam Fantilli is still a restricted free agent, and the Blue Jackets may feel it's better to trade him if contract negotiations aren't progressing.
Another potential option is Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade earlier this summer, but the Red Wings have not moved him yet. One of the reasons is that Larkin has a no-movement clause and has given them a relatively small list of teams, a list that doesn't include the Montreal Canadiens.
Fans have had to wait longer than they probably wanted this summer to see what the Montreal Canadiens might do after their deep playoff run. However, if Pierre McGuire is correct, that wait might finally be over, and it will be interesting to see exactly what that move might be.
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