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The rise of a young prospects has precluded Montreal Canadiens rumors regarding a trade for a veteran center at this year’s deadline.
The chatter involving Montreal Canadiens rumors has focused on adding a center all season long. There was a time when Montreal seemed like the go-to destination for a major star like Nazem Kadri.
But that situation quietly seemed to fade into the background. It wasn’t that the Canadiens all of a sudden thought that Kadri was a bad player. It was the rise of a young prospect that changed the Habs’ ultimate need.
A report in RG media highlighted how the Canadiens’ belief in Hage as a legit top-six center has precluded the need for a major trade. As such, Hage’s future in Montreal has become one of the most interesting Canadiens rumors.
Hage was a Habs’ first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The club picked him up 21st overall. But his trajectory has him looking more like a top-ten pick. He has been a standout at the University of Michigan in the NCAA this season. He has scored 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 26 games.
His showing at the World Junior Championships this year has fueled Canadiens rumors even more. He torched the tourney by scoring two goals and adding 13 assists for 15 points in seven games.
The speculation, therefore, is that Hage could become the next major franchise cornerstone in Montreal. That’s why Canadiens rumors have shifted from looking for a top-six center to a forward who could complement top-line players.
A Veteran Center Could Block Hage’s NHL Path
As such, adding a veteran center like Kadri would essentially block Hage’s path to the NHL. The Canadiens would like to get the 19-year-old up to the big leagues sooner rather than later. That’s why trading for another veteran center could end up becoming an obstacle to that goal.
The Canadiens have prioritized a long-term approach to their roster construction. Perhaps the club might entertain a veteran center as a placeholder until Hage is ready to make the jump to the NHL.
As such, Canadiens rumors may veer towards a low-cost addition with some term on his contract. Perhaps a more versatile forward who could play both center and wing. That situation might be more conducive to Hage’s development and eventual path to the NHL.
Canadiens Rumors Should Pick Up in Coming Weeks
With the NHL heading into the Olympic roster freeze on Wednesday at 3 pm EST, the likelihood of additional deals may decrease significantly. But that situation won’t kill Canadiens rumors entirely.
The chatter should pick up during the hiatus, potentially fueling further speculation about other trades in the pipeline.
Of course, every rumor and situation should be nothing more than chatter until the freeze expires on February 22. That’s why fans should be surprised to hear the Habs targeting available forwards. However, expectations should remain reasonable as very few teams have officially called it quits at this point.
The next three weeks should provide plenty of fodder for Canadiens rumors. It will be interesting to see which names pop up during the break. Otherwise, fans may face an unusually quiet trade deadline on March 6.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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