Canadiens Head To NHL Trade Deadline Amid Shifting Market

As the NHL’s March 8th Trade Deadline looms, the question becomes whether the Montreal Canadiens are dealing with a market that favours the sellers or the buyers.

Given that the Canadiens received a first-round pick in exchange for Sean Monahan, it appeared that the market was ready to pay a rather high price for talented players.

As Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz suggested, some of the suggested price tags have been quite high.

GM Barry Trotz says “prices are ridiculous” this trade deadline.

— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) March 5, 2024

But we also have to remember that Nashville is a team that is attempting to add depth to their lineup, seeing as they’ve recently surged up the standings.

Price tags always seem higher when you’re the one shopping.

In reality, what we’ve seen is a shifting market, one that favours sellers in some cases, and buyers in others.

It’s a situational market, so to speak.

While the Canadiens and Calgary Flames received first-round picks for their prized forwards, teams like the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators were unable to secure a king’s ransom for players such as Anthony Mantha or Vladimir Tarasenko.

There’s more than just asset value in play.

For example, Tarasenko has family in Florida, which influenced the decision to send him to the Panthers.

Full trade, per sources:

To Florida: Vladimir Tarasenko (50% retained)
To Ottawa: 2025 3rd Rd Pick, Conditional 2024 4th Rd Pick.

Condition: 4th round pick becomes a 3rd if #FlaPanthers win the Stanley Cup.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 6, 2024

Gauging The Market For Montreal Canadiens Players

Seeing as players who have produced better results than forward Joel Armia have been traded without the involvement of a first-round pick, it’s unlikely the Montreal Canadiens will be able to secure any sort of meaningful asset for the 30-year-old winger by Friday.

It may not be the worst situation, given that Armia has improved his play significantly this season, and his value on the trade market does not properly represent his value to the Habs.

On that note, if he keeps up his solid play down the stretch, there may be an opportunity to move him this summer.

As for goaltender Jake Allen, there’s still a chance the Canadiens could move him, as teams like the New Jersey Devils are still interested in acquiring a goaltender, but again, we should not expect a significant return if New Jersey finally attempts to solve its netminding woes.

For now, things seem quiet on the Canadiens trade front.

But if the market shifts again, we could see teams pay an exorbitant price for a defenceman such as David Savard or Mike Matheson, especially if the dust clears and some teams feel like they need to improve their lineup to match the moves made by divisional rivals.

Now that players like defencemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev have been moved, there are improved odds we could see an offer that tempts Hughes to the point of moving one of his two veteran blueliners.

Desperation has a funny way of moving things forward, and as we all know, the NHL Trade Deadline is where urgency comes into play.