While there has been a lot of speculation following the Rangers having four scouts (including former GM Glen Sather) watching Monday’s game between the Canadiens and Senators, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported in an appearance on TSN 690 (audio link) that there doesn’t appear to be any imminent trade on the horizon:
“You’ve got to be a little bit careful too and not jump to the conclusion that just because they were there that something is imminent. Last I heard, and again it’s always subject to change with one phone call, but it wasn’t front-burner, pot-boiling, ready to make a transaction as much as it was two teams that are on really hard times talking to each other about some possibilities.”
Both teams have been viewed as underachievers through the first month of the season. Montreal sits sixth in the Atlantic Division while New York moved into a tie for seventh in the Metropolitan Division with their victory against Vegas on Tuesday night.
Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported early Tuesday that Canadiens winger Andrew Shaw is someone that the Rangers have interest in as his ability to play center (he has spent a bit of time there in the past), as well as his physical style of play, have endeared him to management. Last week, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noted that Shaw is someone that Montreal GM Marc Bergevin could be interested in moving while perhaps retaining part of his contract to get a deal done. The 26-year-old is signed through 2021-22 with a $3.9MM cap hit, certainly a sizable contract for anyone to consider trading for.
Alex Galchenyuk has been a subject of trade speculation for a while now even with the three-year, $14.7MM contract he signed over the summer. Brooks called him someone that could be of interest to the Rangers while McKenzie noted during his radio appearance that there have been discussions about him between the two teams.
While the two Montreal players have been identified as players that would be of interest to the Rangers and GM Jeff Gorton, it remains to be seen who or what they would be willing to give up. The Canadiens’ defensive concerns have been well-documented but New York has had some concerns on that end as well which likely rules that out. With the Rangers having the ability to add a player making just shy of $3MM as of today (per CapFriendly), they would have to clear out some money in order to get a deal done.
While it certainly doesn’t sound like any sort of trade is near completion for now, it will be interesting to see if talks pick up if one or both team carry over their struggles into November and beyond.
Habs need a LD and a C but I doubt the Rangers would be willing to move Zibanejad and I hope the Habs have zero interest in a Desharnais reunion. Makes me curious as to what the cost would be to get one of the Rangers LD.
Holden makes some sense since he’s been a healthy scratch and seems to be in AV’s doghouse. I’m sure Staal would be available too if Montreal wants his contract lol. Doubt Skjei is on the table and don’t see the Rangers moving McD mid-season unless someone overpays for him.
Zibanejad is definitely off the table unless Montreal is able to offer a current NHL center (maybe Shaw) and a prospect/pick. A pick/prospect alone won’t cut it since it would absolutely kill the Rangers nonexistant options at center. If the Rangers think they could fix Galchenyuk I could see him being on the table but despite Galchenyuk’s upside, his actual value is so low that Montreal would likely have to throw another asset with him to get Zibanjed.
I’ve been a Zibanejad fan for years and would be on board with a Mika for Galchenyuk+ trade as long as the plus wasn’t absurd. And I’d jump on a Shaw+pick/prospect for Mika trade in a heartbeat lol
Holden is interesting. He’s mobile and has offensive ability but I’m just not sure he can play a top pairing, puck mover role. By all accounts, Bergevin is seeking a puck mover who can help run the PP which would move Drouin down to the half wall and Pacioretty over to the Ovechkin/Stamkos one-timer spot on the faceoff circle.
For trade to work maybe Rangers deal Zibby and Holden for Galenchyuk and Shaw plus a draft pick in either 2nd or 3rd.
I think Zibby is borderline number one center and Shaw is a third line center as well as Galenchyuk at this point.