The Montreal Canadiens have been on the hunt for a top-six forward to strengthen their offensive depth. While their preference has been to add a center, that search hasn’t been easy.
As a result, the team is reportedly open to pursuing a top-six winger instead.
If the right deal comes along, management could make a move to bolster their forward group.
One name recently linked to Montreal is Chicago Blackhawks veteran Tyler Bertuzzi, according to an August 11 report from The Hockey News.
Bertuzzi joined the Blackhawks last summer on a four-year contract and is now entering the second season of that deal, carrying a $5.5 million cap hit.
With Chicago still in the midst of a rebuild, the club may be open to flipping him for future assets—a scenario the Canadiens could look to exploit.
Proposed Trade:
• Canadiens receive: Tyler Bertuzzi, F
• Blackhawks receive: 2026 second-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick, Joshua Roy, F
Given Bertuzzi’s value, the return is unlikely to exceed a second-round pick unless Chicago retains salary, which could push the ask to a first-rounder.
Since that scenario appears unlikely, Montreal could comfortably part with a second and fourth-rounder from their surplus in the 2026 draft, along with prospect Joshua Roy to balance organizational depth.
How Bertuzzi Would Fit in Montreal
Montreal’s first line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky is well-established, but the second line could benefit from an experienced addition.
With Kirby Dach healthy and Ivan Demidov entering the mix, Bertuzzi could slot in as a steady veteran presence on the wing.
Tyler Bertuzzi,
Bertuzzi, a proven 20-goal scorer, brings grit, physicality, and scoring depth—qualities that would help complement Dach and support Demidov as he adjusts to the North American style of play.
His presence could provide both protection and stability for the young Russian forward.
The Potential Downside
That said, acquiring Bertuzzi does come with risks. Entering his age-30 season, he’s three years removed from his peak performance.
While he has put together back-to-back 20-goal, 40-point campaigns, his advanced numbers have dipped.
His Corsi rating fell from 53.70 in 2023–24 to 43.2 in 2024–25, and his goals-for percentage dropped sharply from 55.10 to 37.60.
Though these declines could be attributed to playing on a struggling Blackhawks team, they may also signal the beginning of a downturn.
With three years left at $5.5 million per season, committing to Bertuzzi carries some financial and performance-related risk.
Still, for a team in need of veteran stability in the top six, this is a gamble the Canadiens may find worth considering.
