The first days of free agency have come and gone. The Montreal Canadiens were notably quiet as the only notable they signed was Alex Barre-Boulet. The Canadiens weren’t willing to give the term that some of the big-name free agents were seeking and as a result stayed put. However, there are still some interesting names on the board that the Canadiens could look to pursue. These three players are low-risk, high-reward options that could potentially thrive in the Canadiens system. Let’s take a look at three remaining players that the Montreal Canadiens should pursue in free agency.
Remaining Canadiens Free Agent Targets
Barrett Hayton
Barrett Hayton was one of the more notable players not to receive a qualifying offer from their club. Hayton, 24, was a restricted free agent but the Utah Hockey Club chose not to qualify him this summer making him a free agent. He has struggled with injuries and never really found his groove at the NHL level.
Hayton was drafted fifth overall in 2018 and can play center or wing. With Arizona transitioning to Utah, they felt it was time to move on from Hayton. However, a change of scenery may be exactly what he needs and Kent Hughes can provide that. If all goes well, Hayton could prove why he was drafted fifth overall and ultimately reach his potential in Montreal. Either way, a young player of Hayton’s status is worth taking a flyer on even if it doesn’t pan out.
Adam Boqvist
Originally drafted by Chicago, Boqvist was flipped to the Columbus Blue Jackets as part of a package that sent Seth Jones to the Blackhawks. Boqvist was drafted eighth overall in 2018 and will be 24 when the new season rolls around. Boqvist has never quite lived up to his potential but he has solid offensive instincts from the backend and could be a good project on defense.
The Canadiens are thin on the right side and adding a player like Boqvist would help fill that hole. It also makes it easier to swallow trading the likes of Jordan Harris and Jayden Struble. Boqvist still has a high ceiling and he could be a boost offensively from the backend and even help out on the powerplay for the Canadiens. If utilized and developed right, Boqvist would be a welcome addition at a low cost.
Alexander Nylander
Nylander thrived in Columbus after being traded from Pittsburgh earlier in the season. He amassed 11 goals and 15 points in only 23 games with the Jackets. This makes their decision not to sign him a questionable one. The former eighth-overall pick by the Sabres in 2016 has struggled since entering the league.
At 26 years old, Nylanders only real taste of success has been his shirt stint in Columbus. However, if he can build off that momentum and be given a legit shit in the top-six, it’s plausible that the has a breakout year. Nylander adds size and skill to a top-six that is desperately lacking both.
All three of these options would be solid for the Canadiens. The trio all fit the team’s age range and are low-risk players. Under the tutorship of Martin St. Louis, we could see any one of them revive their careers in Montreal. Even if they don’t pan out, they are worth taking a flyer on. This is especially true if Hughes exhausts the trade market and can’t add to his team ahead of the regular season. The Canadiens need some offensive help and that could come in the form of three former top-10 picks who need a fresh start.
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