Canadiens’ Culture Questioned After Loss; Could Rumored Trade Help?

The Montreal Canadiens didn’t just lose 5–2 to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night—they looked rattled, disorganized, and exposed. It’s not the first time this season that a once dangerous team looked like anything but. The defensive breakdowns have become a concern and the goaltending a real problem. More than that, a cultural worry has been linked to the Canadiens as a group, and some are wondering if a rumored trade could address it.

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Ottawa could have easily scored more than five goals, and confidence seems to have evaporated with this roster. And that’s where the bigger issue comes in.

Former Canadiens forward Maxim Lapierre didn’t hold back, questioning the team’s overall culture. His concern? The Habs look “too cool for school,” a young team slipping into bad habits, losing identity, and drifting toward the wrong path in a rebuild. Lapierre stressed the need for accountability, structure, and veteran presence—before the Canadiens start resembling the Buffalo Sabres—a team known for years for not overcoming culture concerns to become a contender.

That criticism doesn’t feel exaggerated after Tuesday’s performance. The Canadiens looked casual, not competitive.

Could Kiefer Sherwood Help Stabilize Things?

One name floating around the league might fit exactly what Lapierre is calling for: Kiefer Sherwood.

The 30-year-old winger is emerging as a valuable trade target this season and several teams are rumored to be interested. Among them are the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, and the Canadiens. The Canucks don’t seem to be in a rush to make a trade, but the Canadiens might want to turn this ship around as soon as possible.

While Sherwood doesn’t play center, and he isn’t a top-tier star, what he does bring is effort, hard work, and energy. Before being known as a forward who could score goals, his game was all about bringing bite and an honest nightly drive that the Canadiens could use. At $1.5 million for the rest of the season, he’s a hard-nosed value player who could provide a spark.

The question becomes, how much is too much to pay for a player that might help an entire team with the way they approach playing the game?

Right now, the Canadiens don’t just need saves or scoring—they need identity. And that’s the part of the fix that can’t wait.

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