The Montreal Canadiens have rarely been a team that flies under the radar, especially when it comes to headline-grabbing rumors and bold moves. With a fanbase that lives and breathes every shift, every trade, and every whisper in the hockey world, the Habs are perpetually at the center of speculation. And this season, as the leaves turn and the Bell Centre pulses with renewed hope, the chatter around Montreal is growing louder by the day.

It’s no secret that the Canadiens have been searching for answers up the middle. The revolving door of centers over the past few months has been as dizzying as it is frustrating. Despite a surprisingly strong start to the campaign, one glaring issue remains unresolved: the second-line center position. It’s a question that’s plagued the front office and coaching staff, and one that has fans and insiders alike glued to every new development.

But as the team battles on the ice and the front office works behind the scenes, a new rumor has surfaced—one that could send shockwaves through the NHL and ignite the passions of Montreal’s hockey faithful. The source? None other than Jeff Marek, a respected insider who rarely speaks without cause. During a recent podcast appearance, Marek dropped a tantalizing suggestion that has the city buzzing and fans scrambling for more information.

What if, Marek mused, the answer to Montreal’s center woes wasn’t a rising prospect or a forgotten depth player, but a name that’s been synonymous with elite scoring for over a decade? What if the Canadiens, always eager for a blockbuster move, turned their attention to a veteran whose career reads like a highlight reel? The implications are enormous, the possibilities endless, and the rumor mill is spinning faster than ever.

Yet, as with any potential game-changing acquisition, the situation is far from straightforward. The player in question is no stranger to the spotlight, but his current circumstances raise as many questions as they answer. Age, contract, recent performance—all factors that could complicate what, on paper, seems like a dream scenario. And then, of course, there’s the matter of the Canadiens’ long-term vision. Is a short-term fix really the answer, or could it derail the careful planning that’s been underway since Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton took the reins?

Complicating matters further is the involvement of another team—a franchise with its own ambitions and priorities—whose cooperation would be essential for any deal to materialize. Salary cap gymnastics, contract retention, and the delicate dance of negotiations all loom large in the background. And as the rumor gains traction, fans are left to wonder: Is this the move that will finally push the Canadiens over the top, or just another tantalizing possibility destined to fade away?

As the speculation swirls, one thing is certain: the next few weeks could be pivotal for the Montreal Canadiens. With the team’s future hanging in the balance and the hockey world watching closely, the stakes have never been higher. What comes next could reshape the franchise—and the NHL landscape—for years to come. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the rumor that has everyone talking, and explore what it could mean for the Habs, their fans, and the game itself.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

As we know, several centers have passed through the Montreal Canadiens organization over the past few months.

Despite the Canadiens’ excellent start to the season, the issue of the second-line center still hasn’t been resolved-and now a well-known insider has linked a former elite NHL scorer to the Canadiens.

During a recent episode of the Sekeres & Price podcast, Jeff Marek stated that Kent Hughes should take an interest in acquiring Steven Stamkos.

A rumor linking Steven Stamkos to the Montreal Canadiens

According to Marek, the Nashville Predators forward would be an excellent option to replace Patrik Laine, who will be out for an extended period.

The journalist’s suggestion came after a rumor linking the 35-year-old veteran to the Vancouver Canucks.

At the same time, this move would also resolve the second-line center issue-at least in the short term.

Even though the idea seems appealing on paper, bringing Steven Stamkos to Montreal wouldn’t necessarily be a viable solution for several reasons.

As mentioned earlier, his arrival would only solve the second-center position temporarily, while Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton’s plan is to find a long-term forward.

Moreover, the former Tampa Bay Lightning star is off to a dreadful start this season, with only three goals and four points in 17 games.

For Kent Hughes and Predators GM Barry Trotz to reach an agreement, the latter would likely have to agree to retain part of Stamkos’s salary, which is $8 million per year for the next two seasons.

David Pagnotta: Realistically, how much is Nashville willing to retain? Because nobody is taking Steven Stamkos at $8m – The Sheet (11/6)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) November 9, 2025