Montreal Canadiens linked to pair of forwards to help with scoring
As the Montreal Canadiens search for some scoring help in their lineup, two free agents have emerged as potential targets this summer, if they decide to go down that route.
One thing that the Montreal Canadiens have lacked over the last few decades is a bona fide goal scorer. Max Pacioretty is the Canadiens' highest single-season goal scorer since 1993-94 and there's plenty of potential and hope that Cole Caufield can become their first 40-goal scorer in 30 years.
But depth-wise, the Canadiens need help on the goal scoring front badly. Guys like Jake Evans, Josh Anderson, Christian Dvorak, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Jesse Ylonen and Tanner Pearson combined for 32 goals in the 2023-24 season. While two of those six players have moved on, the Canadiens need more out of their bottom-six next year.
In his most recent 'Canadiens Notebook' on Sportsnet, Eric Engels looked at who the Canadiens could target on the free agent market to add some scoring depth, IF Kent Hughes wants to go down that path or if they'll decide to look for help via trade.
Engels named two-time Stanley Cup champion Tyler Johnson and 27-year-old Daniel Sprong as players that could potentially help the Canadiens. However, Engels isn't convinced that the Canadiens would sign either and thinks that the trade market may be better for Kent Hughes to address the team's need for a goal scorer.
Not exactly bona fide top-six options for the Canadiens, if they're still looking for help via this route.
I'm not too sure they are.
I'm not saying they won't try to sign either player, but I don't think I'd necessarily bet my life savings on it." Engels said.
We'll have to wait and see what Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes has up his sleeve in the coming weeks and months as we head towards the 2024-25 season, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him add at least one more forward to the team's roster to help with scoring, rather than rushing a prospect such as Owen Beck or Oliver Kapanen.
Source: Eric Engels/Sportsnet
Canadiens Notebook: New contract puts wind in Slafkovsky's sails
| POLL | ||
Will the Canadiens be in the mix for a Wild Card spot late in the 2024-25 season? | ||
| Yes | 54 | 28.9 % |
| No, they'll fall out of the race pretty quickly | 133 | 71.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
