The further the season progresses, the more the list of available free agents shrinks. Every team is trying to sign its players before July 1st, and that complicates the task for the Montreal Canadiens, who are looking for a second-line center for next season.

We’ve seen several rumors about Matt Duchene, but based on what we’re hearing, he is not a priority for Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton.

Rather than signing someone, the Canadiens want to make a trade to bring in a true center who can support Nick Suzuki and Ivan Demidov.

On BPM Sports, Mathias Brunet mentioned that the Canadiens are preparing a major trade to acquire a legitimate second-line center.

He also believes that a top prospect and a first-round pick might be sacrificed to make it happen.

However, forget about David Reinbacher!

“David Reinbacher, forget it! Forget it. Forget it. Reinbacher isn’t going anywhere.”

– Mathias Brunet

Even though Reinbacher had a more difficult start to his career, Hughes absolutely does not want to trade him.

On the other hand, Logan Mailloux might still hold good value among some GMs and could be part of a trade.

Kent Hughes is working on acquiring his next second-line center, and it will be the number one goal this summer

It’s shaping up to be an extremely eventful summer in Montreal.

Who will be the Canadiens’ next second-line center? We’ll find out soon!

Mathias Brunet says it, Darren Dreger says it, Elliotte Friedman has hinted at it.. I think it’s safe to say that Kent Hughes is preparing a major trade to acquire a second-line center.

Names like Mason McTavish, Mathew Barzal, and Robert Thomas have been floated by some, including the excellent David Ettedgui.