While the Montreal Canadiens appear to be in need of centre help after injuries to Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, the team is open to adding a winger as management looks to boost the forward group.
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre Lebrun reports the Canadiens are open-minded in their search for help. He adds, however, president Jeff Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes don’t yet view the team as a Stanley Cup contender and won’t be forcing a panic move to help fix their current situation.
LeBrun notes the Canadiens were working the phone lines before the injuries started piling up but are facing a market with limited sellers. He notes that Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman could be targets for Montreal, but the Calgary Flames are not ready to part ways with either of them.
The Canadiens did hold trade talks with the St. Louis Blues on forward Jordan Kyrou during the off-season, but his no-trade has since kicked and LeBrun reports that, as of now, Kyrou does not seem interested in leaving St. Louis. He adds that could change as the season goes on with Kyrou and the Blues struggling.
The 27-year-old winger has six goals and 11 points in 19 games this season and was a healthy scratch for a game earlier this month. He remains signed through the 2030-31 season at a cap hit of $8.125 million.
Kadri, 35, has four goals and 14 points in 22 games this season. He’s under contract through 2028-29 at a $7 million cap hit.
Coleman has seven goals and one assist in 22 games, with the 33-year-old winger signed through next season at a $4.9 million cap hit.
LeBrun notes the Canadiens are not singularly focused on a big move, with the team also making a run at David Kampf before he signed with the Vancouver Canucks last week.
After breaking through to the playoffs last season, the Canadiens are battling for the Atlantic Division lead early this season with a 10-6-3 record. The club has fallen back with just one win in their past seven games after an 8-3-0 October record.
Montreal will host the Washington Capitals on Thursday.