Insider: Montreal Canadiens Becoming Free Agent Magnet

Thursday, April 17, 2025

The Montreal Canadiens are emerging as a team that could soon attract top-tier talent, thanks in large part to their young core and the sensational debut of rookie Ivan Demidov. 

TSN’s Darren Dreger believes that the Canadiens’ recent improvement and injection of offensive potential could make them an appealing destination for free agents and players with trade protection. “It sells hope,” Dreger said on That’s Hockey. “If you’re an unrestricted free agent, if you’re a player that maybe has trade protection… now you see the promise of this injection of raw offence which you get in Demidov.”

Montreal's turnaround from a lottery team to a playoff team has fueled excitement around the league. Since sitting near the bottom of the standings in December, the Canadiens have surged with a 29-15-8 record in their last 51 games to secure a playoff spot. 

The play of captain Nick Suzuki, the development of Juraj Slafkovsky, Calder Trophy frontrunner Lane Hutson, and now Demidov’s immediate impact—a goal and an assist in his debut—have given the team a new identity. 

Dreger noted, “The roof came off when he got the assist and almost blew right off entirely when he scored the follow-up goal. He did not shrink in the moment.”

With momentum building and the Bell Centre once again buzzing, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton may have a much stronger pitch to free agents this offseason. 

Dreger expects the Canadiens to pursue additional top-six forwards, either through trades or the open market. Demidov's arrival not only provides immediate offensive promise but also enhances the club’s long-term outlook. 

As Dreger put it, “Ivan Demidov could be part of that sales presentation.”

Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
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