The NHL trade market is heating up, and the Montreal Canadiens find themselves right in the thick of the action. As rumors swirl and speculation intensifies, one name has suddenly emerged as a potential game-changer for the Habs: Jared McCann. With the Canadiens’ front office determined to address their glaring need for a second-line center, the news that McCann is officially available has sent shockwaves through both the fanbase and the league.

For weeks, Montreal’s management has been exploring every avenue, searching for the right fit to bolster the team’s depth down the middle. Previous targets have either proven unattainable or simply failed to move the needle. Now, with confirmation from respected sources like Jeff Marek that the Seattle Kraken are open to dealing McCann, the landscape has shifted dramatically.

McCann’s consistent offensive production and versatility make him an extremely attractive option for a team eager to take the next step. As the Canadiens weigh their options and negotiations potentially begin to take shape, all eyes are on Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton to see if they can seize this rare opportunity and deliver the impact player Montreal desperately needs.

Mar 12, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann (16) skates with the puck toward the Montreal Canadiens zone during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

We have an interesting development for the Montreal Canadiens on the NHL trade market, and it comes from the well-known Jeff Marek.

We mentioned it last week – there was a serious rumor circulating that the excellent centerman Jared McCann might be available in a trade.

Well, it’s now confirmed!

Confirmed: Jared McCann is indeed available on the trade market, and the Montreal Canadiens finally have another option

For the past few weeks, as Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have been actively looking to add help down the middle via trade, the same names have kept coming up – and they just haven’t worked out.

For example, if the Canadiens really wanted a center like Marco Rossi, it would’ve probably happened already.

They need new options, new targets on the trade market – and that’s exactly what we have today with McCann!

Finally, a new target for Kent Hughes!

Will he be able to pull off a trade with the Seattle Kraken?

In any case, he’s definitely going to try.

Jeff Marek: “I do think Seattle are open for business on a lot of things, especially with new GM Jason Botterill in the big chair;

I could see Jared McCann available; I don’t think in the long term future for Seattle that Jared McCann is part of it

– Sekeres and Price

That must be music to the ears of the Canadiens’ front office, because McCann is a really solid player.

Jared McCann, 29 years old, is a 6-foot-1, 191-pound center. He’s a very well-rounded player and has put up strong numbers – 61, 62, and 70 points in each of the last three seasons.

In 2022-23, he scored 40 goals in 79 games – just imagine!