by Corey Desormeaux , Managing Editor, All Habs Hockey Magazine
MONTREAL, QC. — With just six games left until the February 29 trade deadline, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves in quite the predicament. They are just a few points out of a playoff spot (although teams ahead of them have games in hand) and with the “potential” to have Carey Price back for the playoffs, it’s safe to say the Habs aren’t giving up on the 2015-16 season just yet.
I can’t say the same about Habs fans, however, who seem to have little faith in the team at this point. I’ve seen just about every argument, including one that suggests if the Habs make the playoffs it may give Marc Bergevin another reason to keep Michel Therrien and his coaching regime around a while longer. But my theory is, once you’re in, anything can happen. The playoffs are special; it’s where magic happens and the Habs can’t afford to waste a season of P.K. Subban, Max Pacioretty, and Price (fingers crossed.)
I think the Habs will try to buy at the trade deadline and may try to sell an expiring contract or two along the way. That said, there’s quite a bit uncertainty with the Habs playoffs chances and ability to make a push for the Stanley Cup (if Price does not come back.) This lends me to believe that Bergevin may target players with term or that he is relatively confident he can re-sign, similar to the Jeff Petry situation from last season.
The Canadiens need a top six forward. The Tomas Plekanec, Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher line is rolling as of late, but the team’s most consistent goal scorer, Max Pacioretty, is playing with David Desharnais and whatever winger Michel Therrien pulls out of his socks. The Pacioretty – Desharnais duo has worked well in the past but simply isn’t happening this season. So should the Habs get a centreman to play with Pacioretty?
Nope, I think they have one. Plekanec is a lock for a top six centreman role and Galchenyuk should, eventually (sigh), have the other. Acquiring a centreman with term may not be the best approach. What the Habs need is a versatile top six forward.
But, who doesn’t? And it’s here where the problem lies. Top six forwards don’t grow on trees. They are hard to acquire and you can bet that if one is available that the Habs will have to beat offers from other teams.
So what’s it going to take to get one?
Well, unless another Thomas Vanek for Sebastien Collberg and second round pick type trade presents itself, I don’t think the Habs can afford to give up the pieces it will wake to acquire a top player. This is especially true if all Bergevin can acquire is a rental.
Outside of the Habs untouchables (Price, Subban, Pacioretty), Nathan Beaulieu has to be the most intriguing piece for opposing teams. At just 23-years-old, earning $1 million next season before becoming a restricted free agent, Beaulieu is shaping to be an all around defenceman. And at this point, he seems to be the most likely to replace Andrei Markov on the top pairing, a spot he has held for nearly 20 years. Trading Beaulieu would be a mistake given the minimal salary he has for next season, Markov’s decline in play and his potential alone. I’m not suggesting that Beaulieu will become an Andrei Markov calibre player, but he can definitely be a solid top four defenceman for the foreseeable future.
The Habs have two second round picks this year (the additional pick from Minnesota via Buffalo), prospects and some depth that they could look to package in a trade.
With how deep the upcoming draft is shaping out to be, and the chance of missing the playoffs, it’s likely that the team would only deal one of its second round picks. With the emergence of players like Daniel Carr (injured, I know) and Sven Andrighetto, Marc Bergevin should feel comfortable letting go of pieces that could help teams with depth. Players like Devante Smith-Pelly, Brian Flynn (injured) and upcoming unrestricted free agents Dale Weise, Tomas Fleischmann and Paul Byron can play several roles up and down the line-up that can provide sparks for playoff teams. We’ve seen that with Dale Weise, Torrey Mitchell and Brian Flynn in the past.
On defence, the Canadiens have unrestricted free agent-to-be Tom Gilbert. If Bergevin can acquire even a draft pick for Tom Gilbert I hope he pulls the trigger. The Habs have more than enough depth at defence, and the team must find a way to play Greg Pateryn. Although an older prospect, the club can’t make the same mistake it did with Tinordi. Bergevin must find out what he has in Greg Pateryn in order to properly assess the team’s defensive core heading into next season.
The Habs have a lot of money tied up on their backend and I don’t see them resigning Gilbert. He hasn’t played well all season long and if a team desperate for depth comes calling, Bergevin should do everything in his power to let Gilbert go.
I’ve seen some chatter on Twitter about the thought of trading Plekanec and/or Markov. Both of these players come with hefty contracts when considering their age. Both have term remaining, and have cap hits over $5.5M dollars. Plekanec will cost $6M against the cap until the 2018-19 season and Markov will cost $5.75M until the 2017-18 season. I don’t see Bergevin moving these players, for two completely different reasons. Plekanec remains a consistent point producer that I just don’t see the team giving up as they search for more scoring and a top six player. Markov on the other hand I don’t see being moved just based on his salary and term relative to his abilities at this point.
With all that said, there are some interesting players, both on expiring contracts and under contract that are swirling in and around the rumour mill. Realistic targets or not, here are some top six forwards that could be available…
Pending UFA’s
Eric Stall – Age: 31 / Position: C/W
Andrew Ladd – Age: 30 / Position: W
Jiri Hudler – Age: 32 / Position: C
Steven Stamkos – Age: 26 / Position: C/W
Mikkel Boedker – Age: 26 / Position: W
Kris Versteeg – Age: 29 / Position: W
Kyle Okposo – Age: 27 / Position: W
Under-Contract
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Age: 22 / Position: C
Jordan Eberle – Age: 25 / Position: W
Scott Hartnell – Age: 33 / Position: W
Cam Atkinson – Age: 26 / Position: W
Jonathan Drouin – Age: 20 / Position: W
I’m not expecting a big splash from Bergevin on deadline day, unless he is willing to part with Beaulieu and notable prospects such as Mike McCarron, Nikita Scherbak, Noah Juulsen and others. I expect, what we have come to expect with Marc Bergevin, small methodical moves that won’t mortgage the future through dismantling the prospect pool or hindering their cap situation.
What do you think the Habs’ plan should be for trade deadline day?