This TDL is a very important one for the Canadiens. During training camp, we saw that many players are close to cracking the NHL, and that some will not fit into future plans. Vets need to be let go with the emergence of young players.
This is a list of things I believe that management should be doing this deadline:
- Trade Mike Hoffman, if the price is right
Hoffman's stint in Montreal hasn't been ideal, in fact, it's been far from it. It's time to cut ties. He needs to go. If they can get any sort of positive return for him, they have to take it. If it costs up to a 4th, then take it. Anything higher and waiting is fine.
- Trade Jonathan Drouin as long as you don't have to pay to do so
Like Hoffman, Drouin's (longer) stint in Montreal hasn't been great. He's had many injuries, media pressure, and had to take a break for his mental health. I feel like he could thrive in a smaller market, so if you can get a positive return for Drouin, send him out for his own good.
- Ensure Evgenii Dadonov is a Canadien for only this year
Dadonov has not been good at all in Montreal. It's not a fit for him. I think that if you can trade him at the deadline for a net or positive return, you do so. And you don't even consider resigning him, especially when there's so many young guys who are so close to ready.
- Trade Sean Monahan
I think that it's reasonable to assume Monahan has been good in limited time with Montreal. He's recovered from his injuries and even though he's not the same player he used to be, it's reasonable to say he'll get a high round pick. There's no use keeping him considering there's lots of guys who can take his middle six spot next season.
- Create room for the young D
This season, four rookie defensemen suited up for the Canadiens: Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris, Arber Xhekaj, Johnathan Kovacevic. Harris, Guhle, and Kovacevic should be mainstays for the remainder of the season, whereas Xhekaj's spot is not fully safe. With Mattias Norlinder, Justin Barron, Lane Hutson, Nicolas Beaudin, and Logan Mailloux (?) in the system, some of the vets will need to be moved. Norlinder and Barron are probably ready by 23-24, whereas Hutson, Beaudin, and Mailloux may take a while to come to the NHL.
The following players will be given looks at both the NHL level and the AHL level once they return from their respective leagues. Position where they play will be listed on the player:
Example: 00 Joe BOB (NHL Position | AHL Position)
I think that ARZ is the best, if not only fit, for Mike Hoffman. He'll get some playing time there, and the Yotes could probably move him next TDL for a positive return (2nd? 3rd? who knows what the market will look like)
Hear me out, hear me out. Sure Drouin hasn't been great this season (4 pts in 12 GP before sustaining that injury which will keep him out for 5ish weeks) but I truly believe that sending him to the Oilers will help both teams. He could get a shot with McDavid or Draisaitl once healthy again, and once Kane is back, Drouin can either take a bottom six spot, or continue playing top six, which could allow one of Kane, Nuge, or Hyman to run a third line. Not like they're paying much anyway... and it's a net cap move.
3.
MTL
2023 1st round pick (TOR)
Additional Details:
UNHEALTHY LINES: Giordano-Edmundson // Sandin-Liljegren // Benn-Holl
HEALTHY LINES: Rielly-Brodie // Edmundson-Liljegren // Giordano-Sandin (Holl's probably moved by this point)
With 3/4 of their top 4 defensemen out, the Leafs may need to make a trade so that they don't have a dude older than time itself playing with a pylon on their top pair (assuming that Sandin and Liljegren will be the second pair, and Benn with whoever on the third). Edmundson is a good add for that. Sure, he's been a bit rough, but he missed all of training camp and a good portion of the season. He'll take some time to adjust. This would also make Toronto's defense extremely strong if they become healthy (except Muzzin).
Rumours have swirled around linking Sean Monahan to the Colorado Avalanche. Personally, I'm not too sure why, considering Newhook is doing fine, and one of Landeskog/Rantanen/Rodrigues can take over. But if he gets moved there, I think he could be a decent middle six option, and would fit into the cap considering the Avs are projected to have about 8.4M of deadline cap space. Do I know what his return looks like? No, because he was good for the first part of the season (so far), and then slowed down when moved to C. Maybe he looks to be a winger from now on.
what rumours? I have yet to see any insider link the avs to the trade market, nevermind linking avs to a specific player
It seems like every Habs fan on here is linking Monahan to the Avs but no Avs fans want Monahan circa 2022. If we could get Monahan 2014-2019 great, but he'll never be that guy again.
for the 1500th time. Joel isnt worth that. leafs aren't spending a first on a D man when they are getting the best defense they've had since Matthews joined the team and their top 3 isn't even playing
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