Trade-deadline primer: Montreal Canadiens

Although we’re now a little over two months into the season, the trade deadline is just a few weeks away.  Where does each team stand and what moves should they be looking to make?  We continue our look around the league with the Montreal Canadiens.

The Canadiens were one of the busier teams over the offseason in terms of adding to their roster following a decent showing in the bubble that saw them upset Pittsburgh in the qualifying round.  They came out of the gate flying but have struggled since then with a coaching change not really affecting their on-ice success, and now they face a condensed schedule down the stretch due to their COVID-related postponements.  GM Marc Bergevin told reporters on Thursday that he doesn’t expect to do much, but Montreal does have a few chips to move if the Habs want to try to add between now and the deadline.

Record

14-8-9, 4th in North Division

Deadline status

Light Buyer

Deadline cap space

$2.06M in full-season space ($3.57M at the trade deadline), 0/3 retention slots used, 48/50 contracts used per CapFriendly.

(These amounts are factoring in Paul Byron on the taxi squad but the veteran has been in the lineup for all but one game this season.  Knowing he’ll be recalled several more times, their cap space is currently overstated.)

Upcoming draft picks

2021: MTL 1st, MTL 2nd, TB 2nd, CHI 3rd, MTL 3rd, WSH 3rd, MTL 4th, STL 4th, VGK 4th, MTL 5th, OTT 5th, PHI 5th, MTL 6th, MTL 7th
2022: MTL 1st, MTL 2nd, MTL 3rd, MTL 4th, MTL 5th, MTL 6th, MTL 7th, STL 7th

Trade chips

Few players have had their usage significantly altered since the coaching change, but one who has is winger Artturi Lehkonen and not for the better.  A fixture under Claude Julien, the 25-year-old has been a frequent healthy scratch under Dominique Ducharme.  Lekhonen hasn’t been able to repeat his goal production from his rookie year, but before this season, he had settled in as a third-line winger who could produce around 25 to 30 points while being a quality defensive player.  With a $2.4M cap hit (and only a $2.2M qualifying offer this summer), teams could justify taking Lehkonen back-to-match money with a low enough qualifier to be part of the plans beyond this season.

Jake Evans made the team out of training camp, and while he has been in the lineup most nights, his role has also decreased under Ducharme, and if Montreal opts to try to make only a small upgrade, his spot is the one that could be filled.  He’s signed for one more year at $750K, and at 24, he may be of interest to a rebuilding team.  Joel Armia ($2.6M) gives the Habs some size and defensive prowess on the wing, but if they need to match money for a rental, he would be the likeliest of their pending unrestricted free agents to move.

Victor Mete’s trade request has been lingering for a while now, and with the injury to Ben Chiarot, the Canadiens might be less inclined to move him now.  However, if they are able to add a defenseman between now and April 12, the 22-year-old would become more expendable, and with a $735K price tag, he’s certainly affordable for pretty much every team.

In terms of future assets, the announcement that Jordan Harris will return to Northeastern for his senior season (where he was named team captain on Wednesday) could have teams inquiring about his availability.  He has outperformed his draft stock, but with the temptation to get to free agency being stronger next year, he’s someone the Habs could part with if they’re concerned about his willingness to sign.  Although, they’ve given no indication of concern so far.  With a league-leading 14 draft picks, they could certainly deal from that surplus as well.

Others to watch for: D Cale Fleury ($772K, RFA), Ryan Poehling, ($925K, RFA)

Team needs

1) Impact defenseman: Chiarot’s hand injury — one he is expected to return from by the end of the regular season — has made the left side of Montreal’s back end quite thin with only Joel Edmundson and Brett Kulak being somewhat proven options.  Someone who would fit alongside Shea Weber would be ideal, but unless the Habs are willing to pay up for Nashville’s Mattias Ekholm, they may not be able to address this one in the coming weeks.

2) Center depth: While the Habs' first three centers are pretty well set in Nick Suzuki, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Phillip Danault, an upgrade on the fourth line would be beneficial.  It would give them a bit more security if their younger middlemen falter, and given their struggles at the faceoff dot, someone who can take some key draws would also be desirable.  With their cap room and Bergevin’s suggestion that they’ll largely be quiet, this might be the type of move he’s looking to make.