1 player Canadiens must sign in 2026 NHL Free Agency

The Montreal Canadiens went all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2026. It was certainly an inspiring run from a Montreal team that arguably overachieved this season. Still, no one can deny the talent on this roster. The Habs should return to the postseason again. And that means bolstering the roster as much as possible in NHL Free Agency.

Free agency has become less of a crutch for teams over the last few seasons. Top names have not hit the market as many expected them to. With more cap space around the league, teams have the means to retain top talent if both sides agree to terms. Still, Montreal could find some important depth pieces on the open market.

The Canadiens, like many teams around the NHL, are set up to lose some of their depth this summer. Winger Patrik Laine, for instance, is an unrestricted free agent on July 1. After injury-riddled seasons with the Habs, it appears likely that he will be moving on to another team.

Another veteran name set to leave the Canadiens is Brendan Gallagher. Gallagher scored a huge playoff goal this season for the Habs in the first round. However, he has not been the same player he used to be for some years now. Montreal has granted Gallagher permission to seek a trade, which will likely end his time in Montreal.

These are only a couple of examples, but the point is that Montreal is going to need some additions to this roster. With all this in mind, here is one player the Canadiens must sign in 2026 NHL Free Agency.

Jaden Schwartz could help generate chances for Canadiens’ stars

The Canadiens have the top-end talent to give teams fits. Rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes proved he can hang with some of the best when the situation calls for it, as well. But they lack the needed depth to continuously support Dobes with scoring chances. This trend reared its ugly head in the playoffs.

Montreal finished the 2026 postseason dead last in Shots For Per 60 Minutes, according to HockeyStats.com. The Canadiens became the first 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 find a forward who is affordable and can fire the puck on net. At first glance, veteran winger Jaden Schwartz may not fit the bill. However, a deeper dive makes him a good fit for what the Habs need. Schwartz has recorded 100 or more shots in a season all but three times in his career.

In 2025-26, he was limited to 82 shots across 50 games. Across an 82-game pace, this works out to 134 shots, which would be among the highest shot totals for the season on the Canadiens roster.

Schwartz doesn’t shoot the puck just to shoot it, either. He has six 20+ goal campaigns in his career. Though he scored only 11 goals in 2025-26, he wasn’t far off a 20-goal pace this past year. Furthermore, he is only two seasons removed from a 26-goal campaign.

There is something left in the tank here. If the Canadiens can agree to terms on a short-term contract, Schwartz could provide cover and step up when the stars are having an off-night. His experience winning the Stanley Cup in 2019 certainly provides value, as well.

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