The headline out of Montreal this morning could simply be that the Canadiens are open to trading anyone, as general manager Kent Hughes met with the media to talk about the recent Tyler Toffoli deal and what comes next for his franchise. On Ben Chiarot, there was no hiding that the Canadiens expect to trade him in the coming weeks but another name of interest also drew an honest answer from Hughes. As Eric Engels of Sportsnet relays, the Canadiens’ GM explained that if they can “find a trade that works for us and another team” they will trade Jeff Petry.
Finding that trade is obviously a difficult task, given Petry’s play this year, his age, and his contract situation. The 34-year-old has been a shadow of himself this season, appearing at times as if he’s completely lost the swagger and offensive upside that has made him one of the most dangerous defensemen in the league the last few years. He holds onto the puck less, joins the rush less and it has resulted in Petry recording just two goals and seven points in 41 games. That coming from a player who had at least 11 goals and 40 points in each of the last four seasons, including the shortened 56-game campaign in 2020-21.
Petry was a dynamo for the Canadiens last year and was a huge part of why they went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, logging more than 24 minutes a night in the postseason. This year that play has completely disappeared, making any acquisition a risky proposition.
Even on an expiring contract, Petry’s play would make him a question mark; it’s an even tougher trade to make when he has three years left on his deal. Signed to a four-year, $25MM extension back in 2020, the veteran defenseman is under contract through the 2024-25 season. He holds a no-movement clause that means he can’t be waived and a 15-team no-trade clause that will limit the number of teams that can even acquire him–or at least put some of the decision-making power in Petry’s hands. That contract also will see a salary ramp to $7.5MM in each of the next two seasons, with $3MM coming in signing bonuses each year. That’s not something that would seem that appealing to a contender unless the Canadiens retain money or Petry reverts to his previous level of performance.
Still, it’s obvious that Hughes and Jeff Gorton are fixing to make sweeping changes to the Montreal roster. They’ve already moved out one of their top trade chips in Tyler Toffoli, who was signed to a much more reasonable contract and will be flipping Chiarot before the deadline. If Petry is also on the move, you can probably count the number of truly safe players on one hand.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
If it had not been for the fact that the Habs’ blue line was depleted this year, Mgt should have discussed with Petry the merits of a mental health break. His family situation and all … Petry has been physically present. But it’s obvious that his mind is elsewhere. Too bad. Since coming to Montreal from Edmonton, Petry has made a significant contribution to any successes that the team has experienced. I hope fans remember him, as he prepares to move to the US, for all the positives that he brought to the team.
Petry would love to go to Detroit. The problem is that Yzerman needs a LD and Petry is too old and too much term and too much salary.
However, when Montreal come to their senses and realize that Petry is not going anywhere till they retain salary and offer a sweetener a well.
Maybe Petry (retain$1M) + Lehtonen for Hronek would be more realistic.
Why would Detroit trade a D-man that’s just as good and younger and cheaper for Petry ?
Back to the Oil.
Tank mode in full effect, sitting Price and Webber all year was just the start.