With every day that passes, it becomes ever so slightly more likely that the Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] will start the 2025-26 season with Kirby Dach as their second-line center. So far, he hasn’t been a successful option, but he remains the most likely option. The free agency class was thin at center, experienced veteran Matt Duchene elected the re-sign with the Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars] just like John Tavares chose to stay with the Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs], comeback “kid” Jonathan Toews decided to go home and sign with the Winnipeg Jets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets], Mikael Granlund landed with the Anahem Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks]and Pius Suter with the St. Louis Blues. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues] There were so few options down the middle that Christian Dvorak, who the Canadiens didn’t retain, signed a contract with a $5.4 M cap hit with the Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues]. Canadiens: Zharovsky Starts His Season With Big Win In KHL Tournament [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-zharovsky-starts-his-season-with-big-win-in-khl-tournament] Canadiens: Demidov Gives A Good Show In Boisbriand [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-demidov-gives-a-good-show-in-boisbriand] Canadiens Need Big Bounce-Back Year From Key Forward [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-need-big-bounce-back-year-from-key-forward] When asked about the fact that they were unable to sign a second-line center, the Habs brass replied that it was never going to come from a free agent signing. That seems to indicate two things: they agreed the free agency class wasn’t very deep, and they might have had a target on the trade market, but they were unable to get them…yet in any case. Could the answer be just to be a little bit more patient? After all, there will be another free agency class after the upcoming season. The UFA class does include some huge names: Edmonton Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers]’ Connor McDavid, Vegas Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights]’ Jack Eichel, and Los Angeles Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings]’ Anze Kopitar highlight the class. Realistically, however, could the Canadiens manage to pry McDavid away from the Oilers? It’s hard to imagine the Oilers standing idly by while the best player in the world slips through their fingers. That being said, they’ve not done much to improve their contending team, and as things stand, if they made the Cup Final for a third time in a row, it’s hard to see how it could play out differently. Eichel is a different story, though. Vegas has been known to go from one flashy new toy to another, and if they don’t make any progress this coming season, they might be tempted to replace Eichel with an upgrade, especially if McDavid hits the market. As for Kopitar, he will be nearly 39 years old and has never worn another uniform than the Kings'. I struggle to see how he could decide to up and leave, having won two Cups already. Evgeny Malkin is also set to hit the market; he was Ivan Demidov’s favourite player growing up, but he will be nearly 40 years old and is injury-prone. There will be some interesting names when it comes to RFAs, but would Hughes be ready to deal with what they entail? I’m not sure; while offer sheets are legal, they tend to lead to bad blood, and it’s not something you need. Making trades is already complicated enough. Still, the class could include Martin Necas, Connor Bedard, Logan Cooley, and Leo Carlsson, to name a few, if they don’t get extended before then. As harsh as it may sound, whether the free agency class is good or not, landing a player with such a significant role is not easy. The best course of action might be to draft and develop them internally, which, again, requires patience and luck for the prospects to turn out as hoped. There’s no secret recipe or magic beans. Right now, the Canadiens have Oliver Kapanen and Owen Beck with the Laval Rocket, who will be pushing for a job this season, but on paper, neither is suited to a top-six role. Vinzenz Rohrer can also play center, but he’s only 5-foot-10 and 161 pounds; it would be surprising if he could fill that role. As things stand, the Canadiens better hope that Michael Hage turned into what their scouting report suggested he could be. Or could it be that Zach Bolduc can, in fact, play center? Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwo-DfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen], never to miss a story. Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/] for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens. Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] on The Hockey News.
