Montreal Canadiens: What if the price for Jake Muzzin was Jake Evans and Cale Fleury?
By Omar L
The Toronto Maple Leafs kicked off the trade season by adding Jake Muzzin, and the Montreal Canadiens would’ve had a hard time trying to do the same thing.
The last 24 hours has seen a small split amongst Montreal Canadiens fans. Some are impartial to the fact that the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to trade for Jake Muzzin. Others instead are frustrated the Habs couldn’t but understand the delicacy of the situation while another portion believed Marc Bergevin could’ve put together a similar package that wouldn’t have cost the organization much.
I touched on this in an article yesterday, but I’ll repeat it: the price to acquire Muzzin wouldn’t have been worth it for the Montreal Canadiens based on where they’re at now. Yes, they’re in a playoff spot and are likely to still be by the end of the season. However, that doesn’t mean they should forgo all the progress they’ve made in the last two years and sell the farm to address a need.
That would be different if the Habs were in a ‘go for it’ mindstate. Bergevin isn’t foolish and will most likely approach the team’s success in a calm and precise manner.
If you’re still of the belief that the Montreal Canadiens should’ve pushed for the move (assuming they didn’t), perhaps this sways you.
Stephane Leroux of RDS tweeted a Montreal comparable for Muzzin based on what the Leafs gave up for the defenceman. This looks to be more of an opinion than a fact, but it’s another piece of evidence to add to the ‘it would’ve have been worth it’ jar.
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According to Leroux, the Habs would’ve had to include Jake Evans, Cale Fleury, and their first-round pick to acquire the 29-year-old. Evans replaces 2016 second-round pick, Carl Grundstrom, while Fleury falls in line with Sean Durzi. Could the Montreal Canadiens get away with a trade like that?
Evans was initially a seventh-round pick back in 2014 but worked his way up to the higher portions of the prospect pool. He along with other futures made his professional debut with the Laval Rocket and quickly made his mark on the team. Injuries are derailing his season a bit but there’s no doubt Evans is a special talent and could be an option for the Montreal Canadiens one day.
The same goes for Fleury. The 2017 third-round pick went into camp with aspirations to turn pro. Fleury had a decent camp with the Habs and performed well ahead of Laval’s season to earn an entry-level contract. Both Joël Bouchard and Bergevin have shared positive views on his development so far as there is a true sense of maturity to his game despite playing against men.
In a couple of years when the team’s defence needs to be replenished, Fleury is a likely option.
However, I can still rationalize the willingness to let both go with the likes of Lukas Vejdemo, Nick Suzuki, and Josh Brook to name a few in the system. What has to do it is the first round pick. That pick is different for the Montreal Canadiens than it is for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Leafs aren’t in a position to worry about their future as much as the Habs are. That’s where the difference lies. And that sentiment further adds to the argument against moving Evans and Fleury.
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It’s not worth it. Muzzin is more than a quick fix, he’s an answer and would do wonders for the Montreal Canadiens but it’s not worth it. Bergevin made the right call in saying he wouldn’t move prospects at the deadline and two or three years down the line, fans will see the benefits of that decision.
Would you make the trade for Muzzin if it cost Evans, Fleury, and a first?