With only four teams left in the 2025 NHL Playoffs, most franchises are already planning for the upcoming season. That includes the Montreal Canadiens, who could be looking to make some big swings this offseason.
Rumors are swirling that the Canadiens might make a move for Dallas Stars center Mikael Granlund to fill the club’s pressing need for a second-line center.
Granlund’s four-year, $20-million contract expires at the end of the current season, and the 33-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in July.
Mikael Granlund Could Be the Answer for Montreal Canadiens
Granlund’s pending free agency has put him on the radar of several teams seeking offensive depth down the middle. The Habs, fresh off their first playoff appearance since 2021 and with a rebuild that is ahead of schedule, are rumored to be pursuing a second-line center via trade or free agency. TVA Sports’ insiders Tony Marinaro and Jean-Charles Lajoie claimed that Granlund would be a good fit for Montreal, citing his experience and recent production as key attributes.
Marinaro and Lajoie discussed Granlund’s value, noting that the 5-foot-10, 185-pound player’s versatility and offensive consistency make him a strong short-term addition.
“If you manage to acquire a true second-line center, sign Granlund anyway,” Lajoie said via TVA Sports’ JiC show. “He becomes an extraordinary center for your third line, and as soon as there’s a problem on your top six, he can fill in, which is something Christian Dvorak wasn’t able to do.”
🔥 Mikael Granlund to the Habs this offseason? Rumors are heating up! 👇#GoHabsGo #NHL #NHLTradeRumorshttps://t.co/8GOiRNsYzr🔥
— NHL Trade Rumors (@nhltraderumours) May 26, 2025
Granlund was traded to the Stars on February 1, 2025, and played only 31 games for Dallas in the regular season. However, he has emerged as a valuable asset for the Stars in the postseason. His five goals and five assists in 17 playoff games have helped the Stars reach their third Western Conference Final in a row.
Why the Habs Need a Second-Line Center
The Canadiens’ need for a reliable second-line center was exposed during the playoffs, with the team’s lack of depth behind captain Nick Suzuki glaring in their Round 1 series against the Washington Capitals.
Trading experienced reinforcements for the center position is critical to maintaining the team’s offensive momentum and supporting the development of their younger core players.
“The Canadiens got their meaningful games, but the holes that need filling also became glaringly obvious,” reporter Arpon Basu wrote in The Athletic.
With over $8.6 million in projected cap space and no shortage of picks, the Canadiens are well-positioned to make a splash in free agency or during the draft.
