Could the Canadiens Pursue Brock Boeser or Jesse Puljujarvi?

The Montreal Canadiens reportedly had previous interest in Brock Boeser and Jesse Puljujarvi. Will they try to acquire them again?

The rebuilding Montreal Canadiens are expected to shop at least one of their pending free-agent forwards before the March 3 trade deadline. There's also speculation that they could be in the market to acquire a young winger.

During a Dec. 9 appearance on the Sekeres and Price podcast, Vancouver Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal claimed the Canadiens had a previous interest in Brock Boeser. The Canucks recently gave the 25-year-old winger's agent permission to speak with other clubs about a trade.

Dhaliwal claimed the Canadiens' interest in Boeser goes back to former GM Marc Bergevin. He apparently pitched defenseman Alexander Romanov (now with the New York Islanders) and a draft pick and even offered to take back a bad contract in return. However, then-Canucks GM Jim Benning refused.

Bergevin's interest in Boeser, however, might not be shared as intently by his successor Kent Hughes. The Canucks winger earns $6.65 million annually through 2024-25. His contract would eat up a significant portion of the Canadiens' payroll when they're attempting to sign rising star Cole Caufield. The 21-year-old winger is coming off his entry-level deal next summer and is in line for a substantial raise.

On Dec. 11, Montreal Hockey Now's Marco D'Amico cited an NHL executive claiming the Canadiens also explored acquiring Jesse Puljujarvi from the Edmonton Oilers back in August. Over the weekend, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Oilers could trade the 24-year-old winger, who has just one goal this season and becomes a restricted free agent next summer.

Puljujarvi would be a more affordable option for the Canadiens. However, his recent comments regarding his offensive struggles could make Habs management reluctant to take him on as a reclamation project.