TVA Sports journalist Renaud Lavoie has just provided new information regarding the Montreal Canadiens ahead of the trade deadline.

Obviously, it will be a particular deadline for Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes, as they will clearly want to help the team make the playoffs, but without compromising the long-term plan.

So what should be done?

Renaud Lavoie is convinced that the management will consider acquiring a veteran who has already won, has an impact, and has an aura in the locker room.

Coming from an insider who speaks with the right people, this says a lot.

Renaud Lavoie believes he knows an option that Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes will consider at the trade deadline

Here is what could be targeted in Montreal:

“For Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton’s challenge, it will be to say, okay, we have a young group, we don’t know who will obviously remain on the team next season, but will you go after a type of player, whether it’s a forward or a defenseman, who has already won, who has an impact, who has a certain aura, who comes into a team and is there to help the young guys step up and then go after that famous Stanley Cup.

I’m convinced that on the Montreal Canadiens’ side, we will think about it.

We will look at it because, for sure, we wish the Canadiens make the playoffs this year, but just because they make the playoffs this year doesn’t mean it’s automatic that next year, with the same group or nearly the same, they will make the playoffs.”

– Renaud Lavoie

And the full excerpt:

 

It will definitely be interesting to watch.

The Canadiens would be looking for an acquisition like Sean Monahan and I absolutely believe that is a good way to illustrate it.

If we can acquire, say, a Ryan O’Reilly, without having to trade major prospects or first-round picks, I absolutely believe that could be a key acquisition.

O’Reilly earns $4.5 million per year and is in the second year of his four-year contract, which ends in the summer of 2027 when he turns 36.

The Canadiens currently hold a playoff spot, sitting just one point behind the Lightning for third place in the Atlantic Division.