McKown was traded to the Canadiens from the Blue Jackets on Thursday in exchange for Luke Tuch, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.
McKown had nine goals and 16 assists over 63 regular-season games with AHL Cleveland in 2025-26. The center will likely spend most or all of the upcoming campaign in the AHL. He is an unsigned restricted free agent, so Montreal will need to extend McKown a qualifying offer in the coming days to retain his rights or sign him to a new deal.