The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly intensifying their efforts to acquire St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou, as the NHL offseason heats up. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that the Canadiens are among several teams expressing interest in the 27-year-old winger. This comes on the heels of Montreal's acquisition of Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, signaling a clear intent to bolster their top-six forwards.
Kyrou, who has six years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.125 million, is coming off a productive season where he scored 36 goals and 34 assists in 82 games. His offensive capabilities would undoubtedly improve Montreal's lineup, providing a significant scoring boost.
However, acquiring Kyrou won't be a simple task. A full no-trade clause kicks in on July 1st, adding a layer of urgency to any potential deal. This gives the Canadiens and other interested teams a limited window to present compelling offers to Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong. Furthermore, it remains uncertain how willing Armstrong is to part with Kyrou, who has been a key player for the Blues.
The cost of acquiring Kyrou is expected to be substantial. Some reports suggest the Blues would likely seek a top-six center in return, a position the Canadiens are also trying to fill. This creates a potential dilemma for Montreal, as they may need to part with valuable assets to acquire Kyrou. Potential trade chips for the Canadiens could include players like Mike Matheson or prospects such as Logan Mailloux. There is also the possibility of the Canadiens trying to move Carey Price's contract to a rebuilding team.
The Canadiens' pursuit of Kyrou reflects their ambition to build on their recent playoff appearance and become a true contender in the Eastern Conference. Adding a player of Kyrou's caliber would send a strong message about their commitment to winning. However, they must carefully weigh the cost of acquiring him against the long-term implications for their roster and cap space.
Other teams are also reportedly interested in Kyrou, including the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff has placed Kyrou on his trade bait board, noting that the Blues may see prospect Jimmy Snuggerud as a potential replacement for Kyrou. It was also reported that the Buffalo Sabres rejected a trade offer of Jordan Kyrou for JJ Peterka. The Islanders were linked to Noah Dobson this offseason, and there were whispers of the Blues being interested in Dobson.
