The Montreal Canadiens went all of the solution to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2026. It was definitely an inspiring run from a Montreal team that arguably overachieved this season. Still, nobody can deny the talent on this roster. The Habs should return to the postseason again. And which means bolstering the roster as much as possible in NHL Free Agency.
Free agency has change into less of a crutch for teams over the previous few seasons. Top names haven’t hit the market as many expected them to. With more cap space across the league, teams have the means to retain top talent if each side comply with terms. Still, Montreal could find some essential depth pieces on the open market.
The Canadiens, like many teams across the NHL, are set as much as lose a few of their depth this summer. Winger Patrik Laine, for example, is an unrestricted free agent on July 1. After injury-riddled seasons with the Habs, it appears likely that he shall be moving on to a different team.
One other veteran name set to depart the Canadiens is Brendan Gallagher. Gallagher scored an enormous playoff goal this season for the Habs in the primary round. Nevertheless, he has not been the identical player he was once for some years now. Montreal has granted Gallagher permission to hunt a trade, which can likely end his time in Montreal.
These are only a few examples, but the purpose is that Montreal goes to want some additions to this roster. With all this in mind, here is one player the Canadiens must register 2026 NHL Free Agency.
Jaden Schwartz could help generate possibilities for Canadiens’ stars
The Canadiens have the top-end talent to offer teams suits. Rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes proved he can hang with a few of the perfect when the situation calls for it, as well. But they lack the needed depth to constantly support Dobes with scoring possibilities. This trend reared its ugly head within the playoffs.
Montreal finished the 2026 postseason dead last in Shots For Per 60 Minutes, in line with HockeyStats.com. The Canadiens became the primary team in history to win a Game 7 with fewer than 10 shots on goal. Against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, they were routinely held to fewer than 20 shots on goal. Some games had them with fewer than 15 shots on goal.
The Canadiens need to seek out a forward who’s inexpensive and might fire the puck on net. At first glance, veteran winger Jaden Schwartz may not fit the bill. Nevertheless, a deeper dive makes him a great fit for what the Habs need. Schwartz has recorded 100 or more shots in a season all but 3 times in his profession.
In 2025-26, he was limited to 82 shots across 50 games. Across an 82-game pace, this works out to 134 shots, which can be amongst the best shot totals for the season on the Canadiens roster.
Schwartz doesn’t shoot the puck simply to shoot it, either. He has six 20+ goal campaigns in his profession. Though he scored only 11 goals in 2025-26, he wasn’t far off a 20-goal pace this past 12 months. Moreover, he is just two seasons faraway from a 26-goal campaign.
There’s something left within the tank here. If the Canadiens can comply with terms on a short-term contract, Schwartz could provide cover and step up when the celebrities are having an off-night. His experience winning the Stanley Cup in 2019 definitely provides value, as well.
The Montreal Canadiens went all of the solution to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2026. It was definitely an inspiring run from a Montreal team that arguably overachieved this season. Still, nobody can deny the talent on this roster. The Habs should return to the postseason again. And which means bolstering the roster as much as possible in NHL Free Agency.