Canadiens Quick Hits: Berard, McKown & Depth Building
There’s a certain rhythm to how Montreal is building things right now, and it doesn’t always show up in the headline moves. These aren’t the kinds of transactions that shift expectations overnight or change how the Atlantic Division looks on paper. Instead, they’re almost procedural-type additions that tend to pile up over time and eventually start shaping the bottom half of an NHL roster. It’s depth work, pipeline work, and competition work—all happening a level below the spotlight.
The Canadiens made a couple of these under-the-radar moves this week, bringing in Brett Berard from the New York Rangers and Hunter McKown from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Neither move screams “impact NHL player today,” but that’s not really the point. What Montreal is doing here is adding bodies who can push for jobs, fill out Laval, and create internal pressure for spots in camp. In a rebuild or retool environment, that middle layer of the organization often matters just as much as the top-end names.
Related: The Weirdest NHL All-Star Game You’ve Probably Never Heard Of.
Berard Lands in Montreal, Opportunity Opens Up.
Brett Berard is getting a fresh start in Montreal after being dealt from the Rangers in exchange for William Trudeau. It’s the kind of move that doesn’t jump off the page at first glance, but it does open a door for both sides to reset. Berard saw limited action in New York last season, getting into just 13 NHL games and coming up empty on the scoresheet, though he did chip in with some physical detail work—shots, hits, and blocked attempts.
For the Canadiens, this is less about immediate impact and more about opportunity. Berard is 23, which puts him right in that in-between stage where he’s still trying to prove he can stick at the NHL level. He’ll get a real look in training camp, and there’s at least a path to an Opening Night roster spot if things break right. But realistically, he’s far from a lock, and Laval remains a very real possibility if he can’t carve out a consistent role.
Related: Lane Hutson: The Moment the Canadiens Stopped Rebuilding.
McKown Joins the Pipeline, Long Road Ahead.
Hunter McKown is heading to Montreal after being acquired from the Blue Jackets in exchange for Luke Tuch. It’s another depth-focused move for the Canadiens, the kind that doesn’t generate much noise but quietly adds competition to the organization’s forward pipeline. McKown split his time in the AHL with Cleveland last season and showed a modest offensive touch, putting up nine goals and 16 assists over 63 games.
For Montreal, this is very much a long-term depth play rather than an immediate roster addition. McKown is expected to spend most—if not all—of the upcoming season in the AHL, where he’ll try to push his game forward and earn a more serious NHL look down the line. There’s also a small procedural wrinkle here: as an unsigned restricted free agent, the Canadiens will need to issue him a qualifying offer or sign him to a new deal in the coming days to officially retain his rights.
Why This Matters for the Canadiens.
What ties both of these moves together is pretty simple: the Canadiens are building competition in layers, not just chasing top-of-the-lineup answers. These are the kinds of deals that don’t change the direction of the rebuild on their own, but they do matter when you zoom out and look at how a roster is formed over time.
Neither Berard nor McKown is guaranteed anything at the NHL level right now, and that’s exactly the point. Montreal is creating internal pressure in camp, stocking Laval with players who still have something to prove, and keeping options open without overcommitting assets. In practical terms, it’s about making sure no roster spot is comfortable.
And in a rebuild, that kind of uncomfortable depth competition is often where the quieter progress starts.