Montreal Canadiens: Players on the Move in the Event of a Trade

Marc Bergevin may have a move or two in his back pocket to improve the Montreal Canadiens. If that happens, who on the team goes the other way?

There’s a dangerous equation in the NHL that some teams have to go through. It goes as follows: underachievement + cap space = trade speculations. The Montreal Canadiens fit the bill here.

This state of a team and its management group can have a result that goes in either direction. The resulting trade could be a great move. However, there is a good chance of a fleecing especially if the deal comes from a place of desperation.

The Habs are about to start a three-game road trip in California this week. It makes sense to be a little apprehensive considering the Montreal Canadiens are 1-3-1 and have a horrible track record against these teams. Additionally, they have nearly $8.5 million of cap flexibility. Again we see the work of the formula at work.

It also doesn’t help that we’re dealing with Marc Bergevin here. Say what you will about his abilities as a general manager, but he’s not afraid to make a big move if it will improve the team. A trade could be something on Bergevin’s agenda, especially since he’s been seen at New York Islanders games.

The obvious name is John Tavares, but there could be other players the Habs GM has his eyes on.

Related Story: Targets From Bergevin's Islanders Scouting

Say the Montreal Canadiens don’t want to wait until free agency and want to try to acquire Tavares now, what would it take? That’s something not really talked about in regards to the team. Are there any players on the team who are clear-cut untouchables for the Habs?

Who is Available?

Sportsnet’s Eric Engels had an interesting take on the availability of members on the Montreal Canadiens.

According to Engles, all except for Victor Mete, Carey Price, Shea Weber, and Jonathan Drouin could be available in a Tavares type of deal. This is his opinion of course, but it makes a lot of sense. Let’s play with this idea for a bit.

We’d have to add Jeff Petry and Karl Alzner to their own lists because of their movement clauses. If Bergevin and Garth Snow are talking trades, you have to think that Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk, and/or Artturi Lehkonen are the prime targets to go the other way.

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The Habs also have prospects in the system who are close to being everyday NHLers in Michael McCarron, Nikita Scherbak, and Charlie Lindgren to name a few.

It’s weird to not think that Pacioretty is an untouchable considering he’s the captain. He’s been a prolific goal scorer in the NHL for a number of years and has a sweetheart deal. That same deal expires in two years so it would make sense for the Montreal Canadiens to get value for him if they don’t plan on an extension.

Although there are those possible four untouchables, you have to think there are some players that Bergevin would be really reluctant to give up. Phillip Danault, and defensive prospects Noah Juulsen and Brett Lernout fit the bill. Danault is a young center with a lot of room for growth and the Habs are a little bare in that department. Juulsen and Lernout, on the other hand, are going to be cornerstones of the Canadiens’ defence in the future.

Trades are a part of a team every season. Fans expected the Montreal Canadiens to be active around the Trade Deadline. If a move happens sooner rather than later, it’ll be interesting to see what Bergevin decides to give up.

Next: The Blemish on the Blueline

Who will be made available for trades? Let us know your thoughts down below.