There has been no shortage of speculation about the Montreal Canadiens and their search for an established second-line centre. Dylan Larkin has been a popular name in the rumour mill, and the debate over who might fill that role isn't going away anytime soon. But while everyone is looking at the top of the lineup, I think there's another problem Kent Hughes needs to address, one that could have just as much impact on the team's future: Depth.
The centre position isn't nearly as deep in quality prospects within the organization as the wings or left side of the defence. And with several young players knocking on the door, the Canadiens are approaching a couple of decisions that won't necessarily have easy answers.
I see two separate battles taking place.
The first is between Jake Evans and Phillip Danault. In my humble opinion, Montreal should only retain one of them as a bottom-six centre. Evans carries a $2.85 million cap hit through 2028-29, while Danault is playing out a $5.5 million contract and will become an unrestricted free agent. A new deal for the veteran would presumably come at a lower price, but how much lower is anybody's guess.
Danault has the advantage of being a left-handed centre, something the organization shouldn't overlook. He also brings experience and defensive reliability. Evans, meanwhile, offers a more affordable contract and several years of team control and he too brings the same qualities. Neither option is without merit, but keeping both could make it harder to find opportunities for the next generation. And that's where the second battle begins.
Michael Hage is expected to join the organization when his NCAA season concludes, and the expectation is that he could eventually develop into a second-line centre. Whether he's ready for that responsibility immediately remains to be seen.
Oliver Kapanen and Owen Beck are already showing they belong in the NHL. Kapanen has the higher offensive ceiling, having scored 22 goals in his rookie season. He's also responsible defensively and possesses excellent hockey sense. In some ways, he reminds me of Tomas Plekanec, although he doesn't have the same skating speed.
Beck shouldn't be underestimated. He's every bit as cerebral defensively, arguably better on faceoffs, and brings a grittier element to his game. He may not have Kapanen's offensive upside, but there's something to be said for a dependable centre who understands the game.
So, there are two decisions coming into focus: Evans or Danault, and Kapanen or Beck.
Of course, a trade could answer some of those questions. But it won't necessarily make the decisions any easier. Hughes has to consider contracts, development, positional balance and the assets required to make improvements elsewhere.
Building a contender isn't just about finding better players. It's also about knowing when to move on from good ones, before you run out of room for better opportunities.
ON THE FLY
🥞 It's always a special moment when a young player scores his first NHL goal. Adam Engström accomplished that on Thursday, tying the game late in the third period against Utah and sending it to overtime. Engström still has things to work on, but he has shown that he's NHL-ready. His first goal was a well-deserved reward for a young defenceman making the most of his opportunity.
🥞 Speaking of being NHL-ready, Owen Beck and Florian Xhekaj are two young men who deserve to be in the lineup. Unfortunately, they're being held back by some rather unproductive veterans ahead of them. The Canadiens need their energy, and it's up to Kent Hughes to make room for them. In Laval, David Reinbacher is waiting for his opportunity, too, while Luke Mittelstadt isn't far behind. At some point, development has to mean more than simply waiting for somebody else to get injured.
🥞 The Xhekaj brothers have become easy targets for some fans and members of the media, particularly Arber. Some tried pinning Tuesday's loss, or at least the momentum change, on the brothers after they each fought in the third period. Apparently, Jacob Fowler stopping 42 shots and being the only reason Montreal was still in the game wasn't quite as interesting. Winnipeg dominated the territorial battle, outshooting Montreal 47-22. The fights didn't change the momentum. The Jets simply capitalized on their opportunities, finally. Coincidence doesn't justify a witch hunt.
🥞 Ivan Demidov's agent, Dan Milstein, appeared on The Daily Faceoff podcast and revealed that his client suffered a fractured ankle during training camp, playing the first two games of the regular season while injured. Milstein suggested Demidov could still be a few weeks away from returning. That's certainly a little more information than we've been getting from the organization.
🥞 The Canadiens have taken some heat for their lack of transparency regarding injuries, with several players missing extended time without much in the way of updates. Kent Hughes says the organization won't change its approach, providing information only when a new injury occurs or when the expected recovery time is significantly longer than anticipated. Whatever that means. Apparently, injury updates are now subject to their own interpretation of the word significant.
🥞 Juraj Slafkovsky has received more than his fair share of criticism so far this season. I recently looked at the development curves of first overall selections and why patience is sometimes a virtue in the NHL. Some of the comparisons might surprise you.
🥞 According to Elliotte Friedman in the last night's NHL Saturday Headlines, the Canadiens expect highly touted prospects Michael Hage and Alexander Zharovsky to be in their lineup if and when the team enters the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
🥞 The Canadiens continue their gruelling November schedule with eight games in 15 days. It all starts Tuesday night when the organization celebrates Carey Price's career, adding the Hall of Fame goaltender to the Bell Centre's Ring of Honour. And I'll be there! It's a fitting tribute to one of the greatest goaltenders ever to wear the bleu, blanc et rouge. Of course, there's another ceremony I'd love to attend someday: the jersey retirement. Some numbers deserve to hang from the rafters.
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