Montreal Canadiens Off-Season Focus
Following the conclusion of the NHL playoffs and the crowning of the Stanley Cup champions, team executives are shifting their focus to the upcoming season. General managers across the league are strategizing for the draft and scouting prospects in preparation for free agency.
Current Free Agents and Potential Moves
Notably, the head of the Montreal Canadiens, Kent Hughes, has already signed Vinzenz Rohrer to an entry-level contract, but he has yet to finalize deals with any of his current pending unrestricted and restricted free agents, including Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak.
“Armia has expressed his desire to remain with the Canadiens, whereas Dvorak opted to evade the topic during his exit interviews.”
It appears that Montreal is ready to invest in their younger talents moving forward; yet, they might still make a significant move when free agency opens in July.
Interest in New Players
Recent reports highlight the interest of Anthony Beauvillier and Nicholas Aube-Kubel, both eager to don the Canadiens jersey.
Coverage from La Presse’s Guillaume Lefrancois notes that Beauvillier, a former first-round draft selection by the New York Islanders in 2015, has a history with Hughes from his agent days with Quartexx. Despite moving between multiple teams, including the Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins, he has only finished with a season high of 40 points and logged 25 points over the last season with the Penguins. His physical style of play is reflected in his 139 hits, suggesting he could be a valuable secondary piece. However, the Canadiens may seek larger, top-tier forwards.
Conversely, Nicholas Aube-Kubel, who feels a connection to Quebec despite being born in Alberta, is also hopeful for an opportunity with Montreal. His past season included a stint with the Buffalo Sabres before injuries hampered his performance, leading to limited opportunity, where he recorded just two points in 22 NHL appearances. Given his current position, it is hard to envision the Canadiens pursuing Aube-Kubel, as he would mainly fill a depth role likely similar to that of Michael Pezzetta, who is expected to move on.
Looking Ahead
As the Canadiens gear up for a crucial off-season, the potential for strategic additions remains a focal point, especially with the July 1st deadline approaching for player signings. Fans of the franchise will be closely monitoring any developments, particularly regarding the interest shown by these two Quebec-born players.
