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Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Trade Proposals: NHL Trade Deadline Edition

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1 year ago

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Montreal Canadiens Trade Proposals

The Montreal Canadiens will look to sell several assets before the NHL Trade Deadline.

With the March 3rd deadline quickly approaching, we will analyze the proposals submitted by fans while keeping in mind NHL trade value is constantly changing from day to day due to the endless variables in play.

As a reminder, I tend to overvalue players on another team, whereas Canadiens fans tend to put a little too much value on their players, which makes the experiment rather interesting.

Claude-André is suggesting the Canadiens should trade Christian Dvorak to the Hurricanes in exchange for Nick Suzuki’s brother, Ryan.

On the surface, this is probably fair value, even if Suzuki was drafted in the first round (2019). Injuries have slowed his development, and he might be due for a fresh start with a team that can offer opportunities in the NHL, which isn’t the case for the Hurricanes.

Unfortunately, the Hurricanes simply do not need another centre.

At present, they have Sebastian Aho, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Jordan Staal, and Paul Stastny playing down the middle, with players like Derek Stepan, Seth Jarvis, and Martin Necas playing on the wing despite also being able to take faceoffs.

Simply put, they’re already blessed with a wealth of talent at centre, and Dvorak wouldn’t move the needle much as a winger.

Canadiens Trade Verdict: Good value, wrong team.

This is a reasonable proposal, seeing as both teams could stand to use some reinforcements. Allen has better numbers than both Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Jonathan Quick while playing on a much worse team.

He’s not a significant upgrade on Luukkonen, unfortunately, and seeing as he’s almost a decade older, I don’t think the Sabres would want to pay a third-round pick for a small upgrade.

As for the Kings’ proposal, I love it. Chromiak is an interesting prospect who is producing at a very encouraging rate in the AHL.

However, we have to keep in mind Petersen is signed to a ridiculous contract (3 years, $5 million annual average value), which makes him a significant negative asset.

To absorb that type of contract, I assume Hughes and Co. would request more than a good prospect.

I’m purely speculating, but for 5 percent of the salary cap (for several years), I’d assume the Canadiens would demand a very good draft pick.

Canadiens Trade Verdict: Good target, but too much money to absorb for too little of a return. 

Yet another realistic trade proposal! What’s going on?!

I think the Canadiens may be able to squeeze a little more out of Edmonton in this type of deal, but Edmundson’s health status may mitigate his value significantly.

Ken Holland may also value the contract, which extends into next season, providing them with a little bit of cost certainty going into the 2023-24 season.

Canadiens Trade Verdict: Press for more, but overall, you have the framework of a logical trade between both teams. 

Petersen has improved his play in the AHL recently, but, still, I’m not too fond of the idea of acquiring a player with a $5 million AAV until 2024-25. It would severely limit the options going forward.

However, in this particular trade proposal, the Canadiens also receive a good pick, not to mention Alex Turcotte. If the Kings are willing to sell Turcotte at his lowest value, this trade may work.

Jayden Struble is a B-level prospect, and since he shoots left, the Canadiens wouldn’t particularly miss him.

Canadiens Trade Verdict: I still don’t like the idea of acquiring Petersen, but if good prospects and decent picks are involved, it could make sense for the Canadiens. 

The hockey episode was one of the best in Simpsons’ history.

“Don’t make me run, I’m full of chocolate!” is a line I say…way too often, now that I think of it.

Why am I constantly having to run while full of chocolate? I need to reevaluate my decisions. Clearly, I need to cut out the running from my life.

But the best scene was a throwaway during the final game between Lisa and Bart. They pan to the fans on both sides, supporting their respective teams.

Bart’s side chants “KILL, BART! KILL, BART! KILL, BART!”, whereas Lisa’s side chants “KILL BART! KILL BART! KILL BART!

Pure brilliance.

Canadiens Trade Verdict: Early Simpsons episodes were amazing.

As mentioned in the tweet, I don’t think it’s worth it to spend assets to acquire Dubois early, however, if the Canadiens were intent on acquiring him, they would have to either trade one of their best prospects (Hutson) or a player like Suzuki or Dach.

The Jets have absolutely no reason to move him before the playoffs, and it would require quite a haul to convince them to do so. The Western Conference is wide open, and the Jets are hoping for a long playoff run.

Canadiens Trade Verdict: Healthy reality check.

I hate the idea of spending assets on a goaltender, but Devon Levi is the truth.

Okay, it’s perhaps a little early to praise him so much, but his numbers indicate he’s got what it takes to be an elite goalie.

Depending on the pick, this would make sense for the Canadiens, especially since the Sabres are not guaranteed to make the playoffs.

I just don’t know if the Sabres would want to part ways with Levi and a good pick for an upgrade on the wing. They aren’t bursting at the seams with talent in that position, but they’re not hurting either.

Canadiens Trade Verdict: If you can get a good pick and a good prospect for Anderson, pull the trigger. But I get the sense Buffalo isn’t ready to pony up for a playoff run just yet.

Seeing as he’s yet to make a return to play, this might be the type of framework necessary to move Monahan. Kudos to Marko for suggesting a condition based on games.

The NHL recently made a point of saying they’ll scrutinize players traded that are currently on LTIR, whatever that means, but if legal, I’d suggest this is a logical trade for all involved, especially since the Avalanche could use some reinforcements down the middle.

The only thing I’d suggest is that the pick has to be relatively good. If not, perhaps a one-year extension for Monahan in Montreal is in order.

Canadiens Trade Verdict: Signed, sealed, delivered isn’t just a great song by Stevie Wonder. This trade makes a lot of sense for both teams. However, and this is very important, I’d argue Superstition, Living for the City, and Higher Ground are better songs.

Injuries aside, Armia is producing slightly more than Lucic, and I’d propose both players hold little to no value, with Armia carrying extra negative value due to his contract running until 2024-25.

The deal would give the Flames a little more flexibility to acquire other players at the deadline, but they’re also not guaranteed to even make the playoffs, which mitigates some of the potential here.

To make this deal go through, I think the Canadiens would have to add an asset to compensate for the discrepancy in contract lengths.

Canadiens Trade Verdict: Wrong year for Calgary. They’re better off letting Lucic’s contract expire this summer. 

Ah yes, the Chiarot deal with a forward twist.

In this case, Brian is most likely suggesting trading either Dvorak or Anderson to either the Sabres or the Flames.

The asking price isn’t unreasonable, seeing as Anderson is one of the most sought-after players on the NHL trade market.

If either team is willing to accept a trade involving Anderson and their 2023 first-round pick, you pull the trigger without hesitation, but they’re both well aware of their position in the standings, as well as the strength of the upcoming Draft.

Canadiens Trade Verdict: Teams may not want to part with their 2023 first-round pick, but deferring it to 2024 works for the Canadiens because it would allow them to stagger their talent. 

Prospect experts may think this is a high asking price for a player like Anderson, but as we know, NHL general managers spend their nights dreaming about acquiring a player that possesses his skillset.

I don’t think the Sabres are ready to part with Ostlund just yet. He’s probably their third-best prospect behind Matthew Savoie and Jiri Kulich.

That being said, you have to give to get, and I’d argue trading Anderson for an A-/B+ prospect makes a lot of sense in the long term.

But you probably won’t hear the same from Kent Hughes. He likes Anderson, and he knows there will still be a demand for him in the summer.

He’s going to stick to his guns until he receives an offer he likes, and in his mind, Anderson is probably worth more than a player like Ostlund.

Canadiens Trade Verdict: I’d make this trade in a New York minute, but I don’t think Canadiens management would agree. 

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