Should the Montreal Canadiens Pursue John Tavares?

Despite being knee-deep in a window to win the Stanley Cup, the Montreal Canadiens still lack that number one centre to help them do it.

A lot of times, fans and analysts of the NHL will look into what pieces it takes to win a Stanley Cup. The Montreal Canadiens already have some of these pieces. They have the elite number one goaltender in Carey Price who they just extended for 10 years. They also have the number one defenceman in Shea Weber who they traded for last offseason. Unfortunately, the Habs have the same problem they’ve had for years in that they don’t have a number one centre.

There are only two ways to acquire a number one centre. The first, and most used, is to draft them. Again, considering where the Canadiens are in terms of expectations, it will be very unlikely they will get close enough in the draft to get one. However, they could get lucky with a later round pick developing into one.

The second way is to trade or acquire one through free agency. These are not as common as once a team acquires a centre with that talent, they’re not likely to give them up. With the 2017-2018 season ahead, the Habs may have an opportunity to add John Tavares.

Tavares is the number one centre that Montreal needs. The 26-year-old has finished with at least 60 points since the 2010-2011 season (save for the shortened season). Additionally he’s defensively responsible and one of the most driven players in the league.

He would compliment a team that is very strong on the wing but needs that stability down the middle. That being said, the two ways as to how the Habs could acquire him will be very difficult.

Trade For Him

This is probably the least likely option. If Tavares is still unsigned by next season’s trade deadline, the focus on him will be at an all time high. Considering the fact that he’s a franchise centre, the price to trade for him will be extraordinary.

It’ll definitely follow the player-pick-prospect route, perhaps with an extra piece or two. The Habs’ 2018 first round pick and Noah Juulsen would be going the other way. Juulsen would make sense to be included in the deal as the New York Islanders recently traded Travis Hamonic and he’s the team’s best defensive prospect. The hardest pill to swallow would be that Alex Galchenyuk would most likely be included in the deal as well.

It’s a risky move to make, especially if it isn’t a guarantee that Tavares signs in the following summer. And to add on to that, there’s no way in knowing if Islanders GM Garth Snow would even trade him. However, if the Habs feel that they can push for the cup that season, it’ll be a risk they may want to take.

Something to keep in mind is that Tavares has a no-trade and no-move clause on his contract this upcoming season. He’ll have eight teams that he can’t be traded to if he were to waive his no-move. Therefore, the position the Islanders are in come trade deadline day would be another factor in Tavares’ future.

Sign Him

Tavares will be the highlight of the 2018 Free Agent Class if he remains unsigned. If Montreal were to acquire him, this will probably be the means as to how they do it. The 2009 first overall pick has been on an incredible contract for the last five seasons making $5.5 million per. If he were to hit the open market, the next contract Tavares sees will probably include a 10 in it.

After signing Mark Streit, the Habs have roughly $8.5 million left in cap space. They will also have an additional $6 million coming off the books if they decide to walk away from Tomas Plekanec, who will be a UFA at the end of next season.

If Tavares is available on July 1st, you can bet Marc Bergevin and the rest of the Montreal staff will do whatever they can to convince him to sign there. They’d have a lot to sell him on, but most importantly the opportunity to bring a Stanley Cup to Montreal for the first time since 1993.

Next: Canadiens Sign Mark Streit

Do you want the Habs to pursue Tavares? What would you give up for him in a trade? If he’s a free agent, how much would you sign him for? Let us know what you think in the comments!