The Montreal Canadiens’ quest to solidify their roster and accelerate their rebuild has been a rollercoaster of rumors, speculation, and bold predictions. For months, fans and analysts alike have debated which player could possibly fill the team’s glaring need for a reliable second-line center—a role that has proven elusive and critical to Montreal’s future ambitions. From the possibility of a blockbuster trade for a superstar to the pursuit of promising young talent, the conversation has never been more intense.

Names have come and gone in the rumor mill, each carrying its own weight of excitement and controversy. Some of the NHL’s most recognizable stars—Sidney Crosby, Mason McTavish, Nazem Kadri, Steven Stamkos, and Pavel Zacha—have all, at one point or another, been linked to the Canadiens. With each new report, fans are left wondering if the next big move is just around the corner, or if the team will once again settle for incremental progress.

But now, a new candidate has entered the fray—one whose profile is both unexpected and intriguing. The latest name to surface in the Canadiens’ center sweepstakes isn’t a headline-grabbing veteran or a proven scorer with years of NHL experience. Instead, the spotlight has shifted to a young player whose situation seems to be as much about opportunity as it is about talent. The buzz began with a single comment from a respected voice in the hockey community, sparking a wave of discussion and debate that shows no sign of slowing down.

This player’s journey has been anything but straightforward. Despite possessing the physical attributes, hockey IQ, and offensive upside that every team covets, he finds himself on the outside looking in—caught between the promise of a bright future and the harsh realities of a crowded roster. His current team, flush with established stars and hungry for another championship run, simply doesn’t have the space to give him the minutes or the role he needs to flourish. As a result, he’s been shuttled between the NHL and the AHL, his potential tantalizingly out of reach.

What makes this situation even more compelling is the possibility that the Canadiens could swoop in and offer a lifeline—a fresh start in a city that knows how to nurture young talent and build for the future. The idea isn’t just idle speculation; it comes from an analyst with a reputation for seeing opportunities where others see obstacles. According to this source, the player in question could be acquired for a reasonable price, and his arrival might just be the missing piece in Montreal’s evolving puzzle.

But is the risk worth the reward? Would the Canadiens be wise to invest in another young, unproven center, or should they focus their assets on a more experienced option? And how do the complexities of salary cap management, roster construction, and long-term planning factor into the equation?

As the debate intensifies and new information comes to light, one thing is certain: the Canadiens’ next move could have far-reaching consequences, not just for the team, but for the entire NHL landscape. To uncover the full story behind this surprising development—and to find out who this mystery center really is—read on.

Photo of Canadiens and Lightning

Photo credit: Habsfanatics/NHL

Several names have been thrown around since last year to fill the role of the Montreal Canadiens’ second-line center.

Sidney Crosby, Mason McTavish, Nazem Kadri, Steven Stamkos, and Pavel Zacha have been at the heart of rumors involving the Habs in recent months.

The latest name circulating in the speculation is quite surprising and has sparked plenty of discussion – especially since it comes from none other than Simon Boisvert.

It’s Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Geekie.

Conor Geekie is stuck in Tampa Bay, according to Simon Boisvert

In the latest episode of the Mathias et le Serpent podcast, the man nicknamed “The Snake” opened up the discussion about Conor Geekie.

According to him, the 21-year-old left-handed center isn’t in the AHL because he’s playing poorly, but because there’s simply no room for him in Tampa.

“My answer is Conor Geekie. The guy has offensive talent, but in Tampa, he’s stuck. It’s not because he’s playing badly-it’s just that they give him eight or nine minutes, and then send him down to the AHL.”

– Simon “Snake” Boisvert

Right now, the Lightning are rolling with Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli as their top two centers.

Let’s be honest – they’re tough to replace.

Looking at the other centers in the organization, Dominic James and Yanni Gourde average 12:12 and 15:55 of ice time per game, which is better than Geekie’s 10:02.

Geekie’s size (6 feet 4 inches), combined with his hockey IQ and scoring ability, makes him a perfect fit for the Canadiens.

According to Boisvert, the forward is exactly the type of player Montreal loves to add to its core.

To acquire him, the analyst says he’d be willing to trade a late first-round pick or a second-round pick plus a prospect – and that prospect could even be Owen Beck.

However, it’s fair to wonder whether Kent Hughes still wants to acquire uncertain young players or if, at this stage of the rebuild, he’d rather target someone more experienced.

As for Julien Brisebois, he will undoubtedly be patient with the Geekie situation.

As Vincent Larue from DLC reminds us, the organization’s core is aging, and its prospect pool is thin.

That’s not even mentioning the team’s salary cap situation, which is already tight and will certainly be an issue in the coming years.

In six games this season with the Bolts, Geekie has recorded just one assist.

He’s added seven points, including three goals, in five games with the Syracuse Crunch.