Canadiens’ summer shopping list includes grit and depth, with A.J. Greer emerging as a potential fit

The Montreal Canadiens are entering the summer with a clear emphasis: adding players who bring intensity, physical edge, and reliable depth. In a report circulated ahead of the July 1 recruiting window, A.J. Greer is framed as a possible target for general manager Kent Hughes, particularly if Greer’s next contract situation reaches a point where he becomes a genuine free-agent option.

Greer, a forward whose value is tied to forechecking, compete level, and the ability to play heavy minutes without needing constant spotlight, is being discussed as the kind of piece Montreal could plug into its forward group. The logic is straightforward. The Canadiens’ recent playoff experiences have underscored the importance of being harder to play against, and Montreal’s roster makeup has not always matched that demand when games tighten and opponents lean into physical matchups.

The broader roster-building picture described in the report extends beyond center depth. Hughes is also expected to monitor the market for a second-line center and another right-shot defenseman. That combination speaks to how teams try to solve two problems at once in the same offseason: bolstering scoring roles while also improving the team’s ability to win battles along the walls, on the forecheck, and in front of their own net.

Montreal’s emphasis on physical play is rooted in playoff context. The report notes that while the Canadiens were not as outmatched physically in the most recent playoffs as they had been in the prior postseason run that included Washington, Montreal still faced moments where opponents looked better equipped to impose their style. That kind of gap tends to be easiest to identify on tape and hardest to fix midseason, which is why teams often treat it as an offseason priority.

If Greer is indeed on Montreal’s radar in the free-agent market, the real question becomes role fit and contract timing rather than just skill set. A player can check the “grit” box and still fail to help if his responsibilities do not align with how a coaching staff wants to structure lines and matchups. The July 1 reference in the report also suggests the Canadiens are thinking about the near-term timeline of negotiations and availability, not a longer-term development project.

It is also worth noting what the report does not fully answer. There is no guarantee that Greer’s situation will produce an opening, and there is no confirmation in the reporting that Montreal has made a specific offer or that negotiations will follow the expected path. In the NHL, free agency often reshuffles quickly, with teams that prioritize role players acting fast once terms become clear.

Still, the Canadiens’ willingness to link their summer plan to both forward toughness and right-shot defensive depth indicates they are not treating this as a one-category rebuild. If Hughes can combine a center upgrade, a defensive balance move, and one or more players who can meet opponents physically, it would address the concerns that show up most clearly when teams are playing fewer games but higher-stakes hockey.

For fans, the next watch items are simple. Montreal’s activity around July 1, any public comments around team identity and style of play, and the kinds of players the Canadiens pursue for bottom-six minutes and depth defensive pairings will show whether this “sandpaper” theme becomes actual roster construction or stays at the level of offseason aspiration.