As you know, the Montreal Canadiens are having a rather difficult start to the season.

Even though some forwards, particularly Cole Caufield, have been performing well and scoring big goals, Martin St-Louis’ men are near the bottom of the NHL in goals allowed.

Some fans might blame the goaltenders, but Kent Hughes should look for reinforcements to improve the defensive corps. According to RDS, there are a few defensemen who could be interesting options for the Canadiens.

Also, a few weeks ago, Insider Frank Seravalli reported that Kent Hughes was looking to acquire an established top 4 defenseman to help the team.

Several Names Targeted for a Montreal Canadiens Trade

Among the suggested names are Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils and Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres.

Nemec’s case is particularly intriguing here because he is a longtime friend of Juraj Slafkovsky, and bringing them together in Montreal could be a good idea.

Especially since Nemec, who has 1 point in nine games this season, hasn’t been used much by his coach with the Devils and has even spent time in the AHL.

However, since he represents significant potential, having been the second overall pick in 2022 behind Slafkovsky, the cost to acquire him is likely to be quite high.

The same can be said for Bowen Byram in Buffalo.

The fourth overall pick by the Colorado Avalanche in 2019, he was acquired by the Sabres in exchange for forward Casey Mittelstadt. While Mittelstadt has established himself as the second-line center for his new team, the same can’t be said for Byram.

Often playing in the shadow of Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, Byram is rather quiet on certain nights, raising questions about what the 23-year-old defenseman truly brings to the Sabres’ defensive corps.

However, since he is still very young, it’s far too early for the Sabres organization, which just recently acquired him, to draw any definitive conclusions.

As for the other defensemen suggested by RDS, the list includes Anaheim Ducks veteran Cam Fowler, as well as Damon Severson and Will Borgen.

Lastly, a name heavily circulating from Columbus is David Jiricek. Drafted 6th overall in 2022, he appears to be on his way out, and the price to acquire him was revealed.

Yesterday, insider Chris Johnston confirmed that the Montreal Canadiens are one of the eight teams in the running for Jiricek although they aren’t the favourites:

Some notes from the Chris Johnston Show: Says there’s around 8 teams in on Jiricek. MIN is the front runner but names NSH, PIT, VAN, PHI & MTL. #CBJ will consider a pick & prospect package now. & feeling is it will happen soon. #mnwild #letsgopens #Smashville #Canucks #GoHabsGo

— NHL Trade Alert (@NHLTradeAlert) November 28, 2024

What about you? What do you think?