Top 5 Dream Second-Line Center Trade Targets for Montreal Canadiens

Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville Predators center, skates during warmup

The Montreal Canadiens continue their excellent start to the season, tied for the Atlantic Division lead at 8-3-0 and 16 points. But that doesn't mean they've given up on their search for a second-line center. This has been a focus of Kent Hughes & Co. going back to the offseason (and even before), and they are still assembling a list of potential additions.

Habs analyst Shaun Starr and insider Marco D'Amico have posited their list of dream 2C targets for the Canadiens... some more dreamy than others.

And it starts with the name getting the most buzz around the league these days—even though a trade is nowhere close to imminent:

Nazem Kadri, Calgary Flames

We've heard enough to know by now that Kadri isn't going anywhere anytime soon. He would be the perfect veteran fit for the Habs in the 2C spot for the immediate future to take the team to the next level—if the Flames ever decide to finally bail on this disaster of a season so far (2-8-2).

"Have the Montréal Canadiens and Calgary Flames had discussions on Nazem Kadri in the last little while? Yes," said D'Amico. "Is it constructive trade discussions? No. No, it's about keeping tabs, and seeing what's available... And they wouldn't be doing a good enough job if they didn't." But he also adds, "His age (35) does not match the core (of the young Canadiens)," meaning that Montreal has to be careful of how steep a price to pay for a player that isn't a long-term piece.

Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville Predators

"I think Ryan O'Reilly is an overall better fit (than Kadri) and less of a risk for the Montreal Canadiens," said D'Amico. Now in the third season of a four-year deal in Nashville, with a team that continues to struggle, O'Reilly hasn't wanted to leave the team in the past couple of years, but if that changes... His acumen in the face-off circle has D'Amico more than intrigued.

"He would completely revolutionize the Canadiens' center line, and make it one of the better ones in the face-off circle just from a simple acquisition."

But again, just one year younger than Kadri, at 34, O'Reilly is also not a long-term fit, and could be done in Montreal in a year and a half.

Steven Stamkos, Nashville Predators

"I've heard rumblings that if the Nashville Predators decide to double down and start selling off some guys... I don't think a guy like Steven Stamkos is going to want to stick around," said D'Amico. "He'd be a strong element to the team, but it's the defensive side of the puck that leaves me wanting when it comes to Stamkos."

Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis Blues

"The other team that I'd like to keep an eye on.. The St. Louis Blues..." offered D'Amico. "(It's been) confirmed: Jordan Kyrou was a target of the Montréal Canadiens as well. So, could they circle back on those discussions? IF the Blues embrace their retool..."

Bo Horvat, NY Islanders

The least likely to be moved of all of these, the Islanders' leading scorer, at age 30, with his skill set, Horvat would be ideal to slot in next to Ivan Demidov. Horvat would be "the" dream get for the Habs' 2C spot. However, they'll probably have to keep dreaming.

"That seems to be the longest of odds in terms of how (the Canadiens) fill the 2C void," said Starr. "Yeah, the Islanders would have to blow it up for Horvat to become available," agreed D'Amico. "He would fit in the (Habs') timeline, but as of right now, not available from what I've been told."