The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly looking to make some moves to shake up their roster as the trade deadline approaches. With the team exceeding expectations and holding a firm position in the playoff conversation, the focus has shifted to identifying experienced and reliable players who can bolster key areas without disrupting the team's long-term vision.

One name that has been linked to Montreal is Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman. The 34-year-old winger has tallied 13 goals and 8 assists in 44 games this season, showcasing the type of playoff-style profile that contending teams covet. Coleman is known for his relentless forechecking, strong penalty-killing abilities, and his ability to thrive in physical games. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that Coleman is high on the Canadiens' list, although Darren Dreger noted that the Flames are reluctant to trade him due to his value to the team. Acquiring Coleman would likely require a premium offer.

Another Flames forward who has garnered interest from the Canadiens is Nazem Kadri. Dreger reported that the Canadiens have a "moderate" level of interest in the 35-year-old center, who has three years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $7 million. Kadri also possesses a 13-team no-trade list, giving him some control over his destination. While Kadri has a proven track record with 316 goals and 428 assists in 1,034 career games, Dreger suggests that he may not be a top priority for Canadiens GM Kent Hughes.

In addition to potentially adding a player from Calgary, there's speculation about the future of Patrik Laine in Montreal. Stu Cowan suggested that Laine's time with the Canadiens may be coming to an end, and that the team may look to trade him before the deadline. Laine, 27, is in the final year of his contract, and after scoring 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games in 2024-2025, he only has 1 goal in 5 games in 2025-2026. Trading Laine could provide the Canadiens with valuable assets as they continue to build for the future.

Another potential trade target for the Canadiens is Erik Haula. While he may not be a high-end offensive producer, his hockey IQ and consistency make him a valuable asset, especially in tighter games. For the Canadiens, Haula could bring stability to the third or fourth line, take on important defensive responsibilities, and kill penalties, allowing younger players to be deployed in more favorable situations.

Ultimately, any trade the Canadiens pursue will need to align with their long-term plan. As a team with a young core, supplementing the roster with experienced players who can stabilize key areas without compromising the future is the key.