A second tough guy is linked to the Montreal Canadiens and it's another hometown player!
The Montreal Canadiens continue to explore options to strengthen their lineup, with the goal of adding toughness to their third or fourth line.
After hearing Nicolas Deslauriers' name mentioned, another player has now emerged in the rumors: Mathieu Olivier of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Mathieu Olivier, 27 years old, is known for his physical play and NHL experience. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 220 pounds, he has played 168 games in the league, tallying 34 points and 239 penalty minutes. Last season, Olivier registered 12 points in 54 games with Columbus while continuing his enforcer role, amassing 70 penalty minutes.
This profile makes him an interesting option for the Canadiens, especially if Kent Hughes is looking to protect the team's young talents from the physical play of other teams. Mathieu Olivier could provide an effective solution to bolster the Canadiens' bottom-six, bringing a physical presence while contributing on the ice.
Acquired by Columbus in 2022 in exchange for a 4th-round pick, Olivier is on a very affordable contract at $1.1 million per season through 2025. This could make his acquisition financially advantageous for Montreal without heavily impacting the team's cap flexibility.
The next move by Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton remains to be seen, but interest in a player like Olivier seems to align with the Canadiens' desire to add grit to their lineup without sacrificing their long-term future.
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