Montreal Canadiens: Adding Paul Stastny for Next Season

In an attempt to find a top-line center, the Montreal Canadiens may want to take a look at Paul Stastny from the St. Louis Blues.

We’ve looked at a handful of options for the Montreal Canadiens to acquire a top-line center already. Trading for John Tavares, Claude Giroux and offer sheeting Leon Draisaitl are still possibilities. That’s not to say any of those will happen, but those could be avenues Bergevin may want to look into. Another option via trade could be Paul Stastny.

Stastny was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. It didn’t take long for him to make his NHL debut as he was on the team the following season. He finished that season with 28 goals and 50 assists in a full 82 game season.

Fast forward to today, and Stastny is the number one centre on the St. Louis Blues. This past season, the 31-year-old had 18 goals and 22 assists. One of the main issues with Stastny on the team is his contract. He has an unfavourable cap hit of $7 million. Fortunately for the Blues, he will be entering the final year of his deal.

A priority for St. Louis may be to move that cap hit to for more room.

Hey St. Louis, Have You Met the Canadiens?

Now Stastny isn’t the sexiest name, but he would be a serviceable top-line center for the Habs. He has a solid frame and elite playmaking skills which would look great in between Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk or Jonathan Drouin.

This isn’t a deal breaker, but the fact that he’s from Quebec City would be the icing on the cake. The Habs have the space for him with that $8.5 million they’re still sitting on. Something Habs fans would have to consider of course is what the return would be.

The Canadiens may actual have more leverage in that trade. Although the need for centers is huge, the Blues’ desire to be rid of themselves of Stastny’s contract may be greater. Daniel Carr could be an option to go the other way considering how hard it would be for him to make the team. There are other prospects that could go, but that would make the most sense. Stasny also has a no-trade clause, but there’s no reason why the Habs would be on this list.

Stastny isn’t an addition that is talked about throughout the fan base. However, a deal for him may actually be one that helps both sides.

Next: Top 10 Marc Bergevin Trades

Do you think the Montreal Canadiens should trade for Stastny? What would the deal look like? Let us know what you think down below!

All Player stats from Hockey-Reference.com and all team and player salaries from Capfriendly.com

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