I recently heard something that really got my attention about star player Mitch Marner and the Montreal Canadiens.

Elliotte Friedman stated that the Montreal Canadiens tried to acquire Mikko Rantanen before the trade deadline.

On top of that, he believes Kent Hughes will try to make a big splash this summer (Kent Hughes himself even mentioned it live from Florida).

In short, in my opinion, that big move could be Mitch Marner.

Mitch Marner: Chris Johnston reveals that the Montreal Canadiens are hungry for a player like him

With Mikko Rantanen signing in Dallas, there’s only one true elite player left on the free agent market – and that’s Marner.

I think if the Habs want to send a strong message and speed up their rebuild, they absolutely have to try to sign him.

I know many will say Marner has struggled in the playoffs and isn’t the kind of physical player the Canadiens should target.

But honestly, I look at his numbers and think a guy like him changes a team. He’s currently seventh in the league with an impressive 85 points in 69 games.

He’s a player who makes everyone around him better, and in my opinion, he’d be perfect on a top line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, or on a line with top prospect Ivan Demidov.

The only problem is, it’s going to be expensive. Marner will probably ask for an even bigger contract than Mikko Rantanen’s.

I wonder if the Habs are ready to offer him that kind of money, especially since the Maple Leafs can still offer him an extension and an eighth year.

But if Marner ever tests the market, I think Kent Hughes has to do everything he can to bring him to Montreal.

With him, Suzuki, Caufield, Hutson, Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov, the Canadiens would have an offense that could compete with any team.

The question remains whether Marner would really want to play in Montreal. After all, he grew up as a Maple Leafs fan.

But in my opinion, if he wants a big contract and a leadership role, he could seriously consider the Habs’ offer.

“The Habs, like other teams, are hungry for another player who can change the game.”

– Chris Johnston

And that player could be Marner: