The Montreal Canadiens, losers of four of their last five games including three at the hands of the Boston Bruins, are now 19-22-6 on the season and well out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. In his latest 31 Thoughts column for Sportsnet, Elliotte Friedman reports that GM Marc Bergevin is more active than normal trying to “get something going.”
Friedman lists only Carey Price, Shea Weber, Victor Mete and Jonathan Drouin as unlikely to be traded, making the rest of the roster ripe for speculation. Max Pacioretty has obviously been in the news quite a bit recently, something Alex Galchenyuk has dealt with for years. There are also lesser-known names like Paul Byron, Andrew Shaw and Brendan Gallagher who would all draw interest as well as expiring contracts for Tomas Plekanec, Jakub Jerabek and Antti Niemi.
Montreal has had a season to forget, but Friedman points out that everyone in the league can see what Colorado is doing this year. After putting up historically bad numbers in 2016-17, the Avalanche are now on a ten game winning streak and find themselves right in the thick of the Western Conference playoff run. Montreal knows first hand what that bounce-back can be, after struggling without an injured price in 2015-16 only to return to the playoffs a year later.
If anything, the Canadiens are more likely to reload than rebuild, as Price’s huge extension kicks in next season and there is plenty of other money tied up in Weber, Drouin, Jeff Petry and Karl Alzner. Even if they do move out some significant pieces, you can bet Montreal won’t be tearing down the whole thing.
The main assets that should be moved out are Pacioretty, Plekanec, Benn and Schlemko. The asking price on Pacioretty should include a 1st and a top prospect(centre or defence). Plekanec should get a 3rd or 4th while Benn and Schlemko should also get a couple 3rd’s.
I’d entertain offers on Byron but the asking price should be pretty high. I would not deal Gallagher and I’d probably hold onto Shaw, especially since he has no timetable to return from his injury. Jerabek and Niemi likely have zero value so I’d just hang onto them. I’d try to find a taker for Alzner and/or Petry but I doubt anyone takes them without significant salary retention and at that point, it isn’t worth it.
A one year turnaround is certainly possible, especially if the Habs are able to land a couple centres. That alone would solve many issues the team has had this year.
Like the Yankees in baseball and Canadiens’ teams of the past, I wouldn’t be surprised if Montreal turns it around in one year but with Claude Julien as a HC who is stubborn about players fitting into his system, I have my doubts.
Claude is so frustrating
The Bruins are looking for a big wing and will take Pacioretty off your hands even if he’s getting up there in age. Come back home to New England Max!
yeah get rid of this guy before he loses more value. BB will give up a 2nd and Carlo possibly.
All this talk about moving players is so wrong. Move the GM out!! Incompetent and in the position now to ruin the team for the future as well. Please Mr. Molson….wake up and see Bergevin for the pretender he is. Look good in a suit and speak French….hired!! Clearly in over his head.