As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the Montreal Canadiens are once again facing rumors that they might pursue St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou. Recent reports suggest that the Canadiens could revisit a potential trade for the talented but sometimes inconsistent winger, with the aim of bolstering their top-six forward group.

The Canadiens' need for a scoring winger to complement Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield is well-documented. TVA Sports analyst Nicolas Cloutier suggested that acquiring Kyrou would be a better move than targeting a second-line center. Sportlogiq data indicates that the Canadiens need a forward who can increase their shot volume, and Kyrou excels in that area. He has consistently performed well in shots attempted (92nd percentile), shots on goal (91st percentile), and shots from the slot (84th percentile).

However, acquiring Kyrou would not be without its challenges. The 27-year-old carries a significant cap hit of $8.125 million for the next five seasons. More importantly, he has a full no-movement clause in his contract, meaning he would have to approve any trade to Montreal. Despite this, some insiders believe that Kyrou might be willing to waive his no-trade clause to join a contending team.

The St. Louis Blues are reportedly seeking to improve their blue line. Insider David Pagnotta noted that the Blues would likely want a young defenseman as the centerpiece of any trade involving Kyrou. This condition has fueled speculation that the Canadiens would have to part with a top defensive prospect like David Reinbacher to acquire Kyrou. Some observers suggest that acquiring Kyrou's offensive talent would require sacrificing a future cornerstone on defense.

Trading Reinbacher, the Canadiens' 2023 first-round pick (5th overall), would be a significant gamble. General Manager Kent Hughes would have to decide if adding Kyrou's firepower is worth parting with a promising young defenseman. Other teams may also be interested in Kyrou, such as the New York Islanders, who could benefit from his offensive abilities.

While the potential acquisition of Kyrou could provide a boost to Montreal's offense, the cost in terms of assets and cap space remains a significant consideration. The Canadiens must carefully weigh the potential benefits against the long-term implications of trading away valuable prospects or draft picks.