Montreal continues to collect points and stay near the top of the Atlantic, but the season still feels like it’s built on sand. The offense carries nights, yet gaps appear when games slow down.
That push and pull has led to a broader discussion about long-term fixes. One center keeps surfacing in those conversations.
Why Does Robert Thomas Keep Coming Up in Montreal’s Search for a True 2C?
The Canadiens are 18-12-4 and sit second in the Atlantic Division, a record built with a strong start this season but they’ve been traversing a bumpy road lately.
Nick Suzuki drives the offense, Cole Caufield remains a consistent threat, and the power play continues to cover for five-on-five swings. Still, defensive lapses and uneven goaltending have made consistency hard to hold over long stretches.
That backdrop has fueled discussion about adding help at the center, especially behind Suzuki. On The Starr & D’Amico Show, Shaun Starr made a direct case for one player, saying, “Robert Thomas is the best answer to the 2C problem for the Montreal Canadiens. There’s no doubt about it. And if it were to come to reality, Marco [D’Amico], everything is on the table outside of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Demidov, and Lane Hutson.”
Thomas fits the profile Montreal lacks. The 26-year-old center plays heavy minutes, controls possession, and supports offense through patience and vision rather than speed alone. This season, he has remained steady despite St. Louis struggling to find rhythm, producing 24 points in 32 games while averaging over 19 minutes per night.
Marco D’Amico of RG Media added context to how realistic a deal could be.
“First of all, no, no trade clause on his end, right? That’s something you gotta take into consideration,” he said.
“If ever they do consider moving him, I don’t know that the Blues would necessarily be openly shopping. I think it’s a conversation that will happen in spurts.” He also noted that Montreal would protect key pieces, explaining that Juraj Slafkovsky, Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, and Jacob Fowler would likely be off the table.
The idea of movement connects to St. Louis’ own uncertainty. Speaking with The Athletic, general manager Doug Armstrong addressed the team’s uneven start earlier this week, saying, “It’s been an unexpected first three months. We had a lot of hope. We had a lot of belief. We had a lot of excitement. That’s the disappointing part because I actually thought this was going to be a nice year.”
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Thomas remains a core piece for the Blues, signed to an eight-year, $65 million deal that runs through 2030-31. He plays in all situations and continues to shape games through puck control and decision-making, even when results around him vary.
For Montreal, the appeal is clear. The team scores enough to win, but defensive pressure and late-game control remain issues. Adding a center with Thomas’ profile could help stabilize matchups and ease reliance on special teams.
Not happening