Possible acquisitions for Hughes: two young centers linked to the Canadiens

The NHL free agent market opens on July 13. While all eyes will be on the stars who will most likely end up with a new team, some players could be interesting for the Habs.

As reported by my colleagues at Fanadiens.com, whistleblower Elliotte Friedman has compiled a list of compensated free agents who may very well not receive a qualifying offer from their team, meaning they will become free as a bird by July 13.

The biggest names mentioned by Friedman are Dylan Strome of the Blackhawks, Kasperi Kapanen of the Penguins and Miles Wood and Pavel Zacha of the Devils.

Another insider, Jimmy Murphy of Montreal Hockey Now, said Kent should be interested in the services of two of them, Dylan Strome and Pavel Zacha.



Strome, the third overall pick in the 2015 draft behind Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel and chosen ahead of Mitch Marner, has been up and down since the beginning of his career and his name has been mentioned often in several trade rumors. He was paid $3 million this season and still had a respectable season in Chicago with 48 points, including 22 goals in 69 games.

As for Zacha, he just had his best career points with 36, but with the presence of Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes at center for the Devils, the organization could decide to let him go.

Do you think either of these two players could help the Habs next year if they were available?