Michael McCarron returns to Montreal: several teams are interested

Michael McCarron was once an interesting prospect in Montreal.

The Canadiens quickly realized that McCarron wasn't going to become the top-notch center they so desperately hoped he would.

The 6-foot-6 right-handed center was finally traded on January 7, 2020, in exchange for Laurent Dauphin.

Since then, McCarron has never been more than a physical center for the bottom-6, and that's good, because big, physical guys are always useful for lineup depth.

As the trade deadline (and playoffs) approach, teams are often looking for a player of his profile to deepen their roster. That's where McCarron comes in.

According to Elliotte Friedman, McCarron's profile is of interest to several teams at this stage of the season.

Elliotte Friedman: Re Michael McCarron: He's got the kind of profile that a lot of teams really like; I believe there would be interest – DMase Vingan & Daunic (1/15)

– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) January 20, 2026

We don't say it enough, but Montreal lacks grit and imposing players.

What's more, since the 2021-22 season, McCarron has never been below 53% in the face-off circle. In 2022-23, he even had an incredible percentage of 59.4.

With the end of the regular season looming large for the Habs, a player like McCarron could certainly be a big help.

However, we need to think about which player will have to come out of the Habs lineup to make room for McCarron. First of all, we'd have to make room for Patrik Laine, but also for Alexandre Texier and Alex Newhook eventually.

What's more, I don't see how Joe Veleno could stay with the Habs with all the potential returnees.

Logically, there's no room for McCarron right now, but by completing a trade that would send a forward elsewhere, there's certainly a way.

Overtime

– It'll be interesting to see when this deal closes.

Frank Seravalli: Re Elias Pettersson: Intrigued by…Detroit; I think they've got the assets; the Bruins; Hurricanes; the Senators; the Kings; Mammoth; there's a whole bunch of teams that I think are hungry to get better – Canucks Central (1/19)

– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) January 23, 2026

– Of course, his monstrous salary ($9M for two more seasons) makes it difficult to find a buyer.

David Pagnotta: Re Dougie Hamilton: Whether it's…Toronto and Carolina and Utah, the interest is there, but they want New Jersey to retain – Inside Sports (1/19)

– NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumorReport) January 23, 2026

– Another player to reach the prestigious 1,000-game NHL plateau.

Roman Josi is seeing silver.

Congratulations to the @PredsNHL defenseman, who becomes the second Swiss-born player to reach 1,000 NHL GP! pic.twitter.com/RJ6a8JdATX

– NHLPA (@NHLPA) January 23, 2026