The Montreal Canadiens are aiming to strengthen their lineup following their playoff appearance as the eighth seed.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, which allows fans to simulate trades, one user suggested a scenario where the Canadiens would land two key players from the Colorado Avalanche.
Canadiens acquire:
In the proposed blockbuster trade, the Montreal Canadiens would acquire Ross Colton and Josh Manson from the Colorado Avalanche. In return, Colorado would receive defenseman Jayden Struble, a 2026 second-round pick (via Columbus), and a 2026 fourth-round pick (via New Jersey).
This deal would give Montreal two impactful additions, while the Avalanche would gain valuable draft capital and create cap space to make moves in free agency.
Montreal would bring in Ross Colton, who has two years remaining on his four-year, \$16 million contract. A Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay in 2021, Colton tallied 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points in 61 games last season with Colorado. He would likely slot into the Canadiens’ third line, providing valuable depth scoring.
They would also add Josh Manson, a physical defenseman capable of playing on the second pairing. Known more for his defensive presence, Manson recorded 1 goal and 14 assists for 15 points last season. The American blueliner has one year left on a four-year, \$18 million deal.
In return, Montreal would send two draft picks—including a second-round selection—and defenseman Jayden Struble to Colorado. Struble, a pending restricted free agent at just 23 years old, would be a natural replacement for Manson on the Avalanche’s blue line. He posted 2 goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 56 games last season and, like Manson, is known for his solid defensive play.
Canadiens GM Expecting a Big 2025 Offseason
Montreal barely secured a playoff spot last season and did so as the youngest team to qualify.
With much of their core already under contract, the Canadiens are aiming to add more talent this offseason. General manager Kent Hughes emphasized the importance of this summer for the team’s progression.
“I think when I said (last year) 2024 would be a big summer, I also said 2025 would probably be bigger,” Hughes explained. “And I would assume that will continue to be the case each summer until we reach a point where we feel our team can consistently compete for the Stanley Cup. While we’ve made progress, we’re not there yet.”
While Hughes has labeled this summer as a crucial step in Montreal’s rebuild, the Canadiens are working with just \$6.1 million in cap space. That limited flexibility means the team will need to be creative in how they approach trades and signings to improve the roster.
Canadiens Looking to Build Off Successful Season
With Montreal already emerging as a young and competitive team, the Canadiens’ front office is focused on taking the next step forward.
Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton noted that the team plans to build off the progress made this past season, using it as a foundation for continued growth.
“I don’t think it’s fast-forwarding anything. We came in with a clear plan to rebuild this team, and this season has helped in many ways,” said Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens’ Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. “The experience gained by our players, and maybe even the message it sends across the league about what it’s like to play here, are all positives. But we’re not finished. There’s still a lot of work ahead. It’s been a really good year—an enjoyable one for everyone involved—and we’re going to use it as a major stepping stone toward where we want to go.”
Montreal is expected to be back in the playoff mix next season, building on the progress they made this past year.
