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Possible Montreal Canadiens Training Camp Invites

Some notable free agents remain available as the Canadiens attempt to add depth up front.

By Nate Duffett |
2017 Scotiabank NHL 100 Classic - Montreal Canadiens v Ottawa Senators
2017 Scotiabank NHL 100 Classic - Montreal Canadiens v Ottawa Senators / Francois Laplante/Freestyle Photo/GettyImages
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The Montreal Canadiens are feeling pretty good about their looming roster. It won't take effect in 2024-25, but the Canadiens have an influx of young talent preparing to debut. In the meantime, the Canadiens need to add some depth to their forward group to get them through the upcoming season. Luckily for the Habs, there are some familiar faces and aging veterans they could either sign a contract with before training camp or invite to the camp for a tryout.

Here's a list of some possible free agent additions for the Canadiens to add to their top six.

Max Pacioretty

Vancouver Canucks v Montreal Canadiens
Vancouver Canucks v Montreal Canadiens / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages

Max Pacioretty debuted with the Montreal Canadiens in 2008-09. He had a slow start to his career but became an alternate captain before the 2014-15 season. It came on the heels of a 60-point season, the second of his career and the following season he became the 29th captain in franchise history.

Pacioretty went on to have three more 60+ point seasons, before a disappointing end to his Habs tenure with 37 points in 64 games. Pacioretty and the Canadiens couldn't reach a contract extension, so they traded him to the Vegas Golden Knights for Nick Suzuki, Tomas Tatar, and a second-round draft pick.

He has been on the Golden Knights, Hurricanes, and Capitals since then, but is currently a free agent. Would a reunion with Pacioretty make sense? Or does Pacioretty want to chase a Stanley Cup in the twilight of his career?

Mike Hoffman

Montreal Canadiens v Los Angeles Kings
Montreal Canadiens v Los Angeles Kings / Harry How/GettyImages

Mike Hoffman signed a three-year, $13.5 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens before the 2021-22 season. Hoffman played two seasons with the Canadiens, recording 69 points in 131 games. Hoffman's tenure with the Canadiens didn't go smoothly, as he lacked a competitive nature and two-way play in his game, which became a sore spot with Habs fans.

He may not welcome a return to Montreal after the disappointing first season, but if the Canadiens are the only team to come calling, Hoffman will have to decide.

Daniel Sprong

Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens
Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages

Daniel Sprong's NHL career took off when he joined the Seattle Kraken. Spong had six goals in 16 games during the 2021-22 season, but was in a comfortable spot when the Kraken took the ice for their second season. He had 21 goals and 25 assists in 66 games before upsetting the defending Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the postseason.

Sprong took a step back with the Detroit Red Wings last season but could have an elevated role with the Canadiens on the second-line right-wing spot. Sprong is also the only player on this list who could have a future with the team instead of just being a rental stop-gap.

James Van Riemsdyk

Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins - Game Three
Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins - Game Three / Maddie Meyer/GettyImages

James Van Riemsdyk is far from his 25+ goal seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and struggled in his second stint with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Boston Bruins signed Van Riemsdyk to a one-year, $1 million contract last season and got substantial production from him for the contract. The Canadiens could consider offering Van Riemsdyk the same type of contract as a depth option.

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