The Montreal Canadiens are quietly putting together an impressive season. Coming off a convincing 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, the Canadiens sit third in the Atlantic Division with a 20-12-5 record and have won three of their last four games.
With playoff aspirations starting to feel very real, Montreal’s focus is shifting toward strengthening the roster for a potential deep run. According to one NHL analyst, that search for reinforcements could lead the Canadiens to a $29.4 million forward.
$29.4M Forward Emerges as Potential Trade Target for Canadiens
Montreal made a notable move last week by acquiring center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. The deal added experience and stability down the middle. But it may not be the final step as the Canadiens continue to evaluate ways to bolster their forward group.
The Athletic’s Arpon Basu recently linked Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman to the Canadiens as a possible trade target. Coleman is in the fifth season of his six-year, $29.4 million contract.
Basu added that even after acquiring Phillip Danault just ahead of the holiday trade freeze, Montreal still has the assets to pursue another move if they choose. “Coleman plays a hard game, kills penalties, can pitch in on the power play, and has a Stanley Cup pedigree,” he said.
Perhaps most importantly, Coleman has just one year remaining on his contract after this season, aligning well with Montreal’s long-term timeline. “Same as Danault, Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson,” Basu added. “By 2027-28, the Canadiens should be ready to truly hand the team over to their youngest players. Until then, players such as Coleman and Danault can help serve as a veteran bridge.”
Injuries Add Urgency
Recent injuries have heightened the Canadiens’ interest in bolstering their forward depth. Jake Evans is expected to miss four to six weeks after suffering a lower-body injury in Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins following a collision with Justin Brazeau.
Evans’ injury came after the Danault trade. The veteran center should help absorb some of the minutes of Evans. Still, Montreal has also dealt with extended absences of key players, such as Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Patrik Laine, and Kaiden Guhle.
Adding another reliable forward could ease that strain and help stabilize the Canadiens’ offense.
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For now, the Canadiens appear well-positioned, but management is clearly keeping an eye on opportunities to strengthen the roster. Whether Blake Coleman becomes available remains to be seen. But the fit on paper is hard to ignore.
