Montreal Canadiens: The Dion Phaneuf trade helps

It may not be much, but the Dion Phaneuf trade helps to the Los Angeles Kings could help the Montreal Canadiens by the end of the season.

Last night was filled with suspense for Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings fans. After Dion Phaneuf was pulled from his game, insiders quickly let fans know that a trade sending him to LA was pending. The final buzzer went off for both teams, and the deal was made official. That’s good for Phaneuf and the Kings, but what does that have to do with the Montreal Canadiens?

It’s not an extravagant link. The return for Phaneuf doesn’t set the market for Karl Alzner or Jordie Benn (not to say they’re even being shopped in the first place). However, if the defenceman helps LA the way they expect him to, the Habs benefit.

Al Montoya‘s starts with the Edmonton Oilers aren’t the only thing that needs to be tracked. When Montreal traded Torrey Mitchell to the Kings, the pick they got in return came with a condition. Right now, it’s only a fifth rounder, but if LA makes the playoffs, it becomes a fifth.

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The Kings are only one point back of the Calgary Flames for third in the Pacific Division. The playoffs are very much still a possibility for them, and hopefully, Phaneuf helps them do it.

Now you’re probably thinking, “Jeez it’s just a fourth-round pick, it’s not too big of a deal,” and I can understand that sentiment. However, it would be the Habs own pick that they traded to LA last season in exchange for Dwight King. If nothing changes positionally in the standings, that will be close to the top of the round.

Additionally, if you’re scouting well, you never know what you can get there. Look at Victor Mete who was a fourth-round pick in 2016. Charles Hudon and Brendan Gallagher were fifth-round picks in 2012 and 2010 respectively. There’s no guarantee with a draft pick, but the Habs can put it to good use if they make the right decisions on the podium.

So, good luck to Phaneuf, get the Kings into the playoffs. And while we’re at it, keep up those starts Montoya!

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What do you make of this? Does the condition on the pick make you care about the Kings at all? Let us know in the comments below.