The Montreal Canadiens are gearing up for another pivotal offseason, with several pressing tasks on their agenda. At the top of the list is finding a reliable second-line center to bolster their roster, a position that has been a point of contention for the team in recent years. Meanwhile, the Canadiens will also be looking to lock up a core young player, likely defenseman Juraj Slafkovsky or forward Logan Cooley, who are both approaching contract deadlines. With the NHL's free agency period and trade market set to heat up, Montreal's management will need to navigate these challenges carefully to build on the team's recent progress and stay competitive in the highly competitive North Division.
Between seeking a second-line center and trying to extend a core young player, some of Montreal's to-do items this summer look familiar.