3 Older UFA Options Proposed In Canadiens’ Search For Top-Six Center

While the Montreal Canadiens readily admit their need to find a top-six center this offseason to add to the mix, whether it comes by trade or free agency remains to be seen. We've looked at a big list of 10 potential trade targets, mostly comprising younger players on the way up, with some exceptions.

Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette has now added the names of three older veteran pivots who will be UFAs this summer. As Hickey puts it, "someone who could hold the fort for two or three seasons until (prospects) Owen Beck, Michael Hage or Jared Davidson are ready for prime time."

Brock Nelson, Colorado Avalanche

Nelson was acquired by the Avs at the trade deadline, but his fit there was sort of up and down. It's not known if Colorado will want to re-sign the 33-year-old. Hickey believes the Habs should take a good look at the former NY Islander. Nelson is the youngest of the three on this list, and although his stats were down a bit this season with 26 goals and 56 points, he rattled off 30+ goals in each of the previous three years.

Matt Duchene, Dallas Stars

The second-"youngest" of this group, Duchene is 34, but is still at the peak of his game, after an excellent 30-goal, 82-point season. Duchene has loved his time with the Stars, and vice versa. He gave Dallas another team-friendly discount last summer when he signed with them for one year at $3 million for the second straight season, thanks to the fact that he is being paid over $6.5M a year by the Predators after a buyout a couple of years back.

Would he consider a move to a young, up-and-coming team like the Habs when he continues to have great personal and team success with the Stars? Doubtful, but with salary cap constraints in Dallas, who knows?

John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs' veteran is wrapping up his 7-year, $11M AAV contract, but there is certainly mutual interest in re-upping on another deal in Toronto, if the price and term are right for both sides. Tavares will be going into his age-35 season, but had a tremendous regular season in his hometown, potting 38 goals and 74 points. His 18:14 average time on ice was also his highest mark in five years. His 26 even-strength goals were the most he's had in a season since 2019.

As a lifelong Leafs fan, Toronto-born, would Tavares ever even consider going to the Canadiens?