Canadiens looking to improve forward group; eyeing Islanders forward

The Montreal Canadiens could have massive turnover when they hit the ice in October to kick-off the 2021-22 season. Carey Price could be taken by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft tomorrow night, Shea Weber will reportedly miss the entire season due to multiple injuries, while Phillip Danault and Tomas Tatar will hit the open market on July 28th.

Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin will have a big task ahead of him to replace Danault and Tatar, not just their presence in the lineup, but their ice-time as well. Danault averaged 16:52, and Tatar averaged 14:49. The easy solution would be to move up players into Danault and Tatar's spot in the lineup. Suzuki will no doubt be the Canadiens' first line center next season, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi will likely slide into the 2C slot. But Marc Bergevin wants to add some more scoring punch to his team.

According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, the Canadiens are very active in the forward market, looking to add a piece up front, and have reportedly inquired about Quebec-born Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier.

"Hearing the Canadiens have been actively exploring the forward market, looking to add up front. One player they've inquired about is Anthony Beauvillier," Pagnotta said in a tweet on Tuesday afternoon.

Beauvillier, 24, just completed his fifth season in the NHL. In 47 regular season games, he had 28 points (15 G, 13 A),12 penalty minutes, and was a +15. His strong play continued into the playoffs where he tallied 13 points (5 G, 8 A) in 19 games as the Islanders were a win away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.

Hearing the Canadiens have been actively exploring the forward market, looking to add up front. One player they've inquired about is Anthony Beauvillier.— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 20, 2021

Another forward the Canadiens are reportedly going after is pending unrestricted free agent Mike Hoffman. Hoffman was one of Montreal's main targets in free agency last year, and even offered him close to $1 million more than St. Louis gave him, but he ultimately picked the Blues.

Hoffman would certainly bring scoring to a desperate Habs lineup. He's scored 25 goals or more five times in his ten-year NHL career. This past season, the Kitchener, Ontario native put up 36 points (17 G, 19 A) in 52 games.

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