As the NHL offseason approaches, teams across the league are gearing up to make bold moves that could redefine their fortunes for years to come. Among those looking to shake things up are the Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks—two storied franchises with passionate fanbases and a shared sense of urgency after falling short of expectations. With both organizations determined to address key roster needs, the market for talented centers is quickly becoming one of the most closely watched storylines of the summer.

In recent weeks, speculation has intensified as rumors swirl about which players might be on the move and which teams are willing to pay a premium to secure their services. For general managers Kent Hughes in Montreal and Patrik Allvin in Vancouver, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Each is under pressure to deliver results and restore their teams to playoff contention, and both appear ready to make significant sacrifices—whether it’s parting with valuable draft picks or top prospects—to land the right piece.

As the trade winds pick up and the draft draws near, the competition between these two Canadian rivals is set to reach a fever pitch. The battle for a coveted second-line center could ultimately shape the direction of both franchises for seasons to come.

Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

It’s not just the Montreal Canadiens who are searching for a second-line center.

The same goes for the Vancouver Canucks, who will certainly want to bounce back after a rather disappointing season.

After winning the Pacific Division title in 2023-2024, the team from British Columbia missed the playoffs this season.

For Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin, this situation is unacceptable, and to fix it, he’s even willing to sacrifice his first-round pick to bring in offensive reinforcements.

That adds competition for Kent Hughes!

The Vancouver Canucks Want the Same Thing as the Montreal Canadiens

At least that’s what journalist Jim Parsons from The Hockey News reports, and he believes the Canucks organization will be very active in trying to acquire a second-line center to support Elias Pettersson.

Since J.T. Miller’s departure to the New York Rangers, the Canucks have had a glaring need at center, and Parsons has suggested three names.

We’re talking about Dawson Mercer, Trevor Zegras, and Mika Zibanejad.

These are names that also make sense for the Montreal Canadiens.

At the upcoming draft, the Canucks hold the 15th overall pick, and Allvin could very well use it to acquire one of these three players.

Unless Kent Hughes ups the ante and offers his 16th and 17th picks?

Even if we’re not necessarily talking about elite NHL players (among the three names above), they remain excellent candidates to fill the second-line center role in either Vancouver or Montreal.

All three players are reportedly available on the trade market.

A change of scenery could benefit them – especially in Zibanejad’s case, who faced heavy criticism from the New York media last season.

It’s a surprise to see him on the trade market, but change in New York was inevitable.