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Should the Montreal Canadiens sign Matt Duchene or Jake Gardiner?

By Emmanuel D

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 21: Jake Gardiner #51 of the Toronto Maple Leafs ties up Noel Acciari #55 of the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 21, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 21: Jake Gardiner #51 of the Toronto Maple Leafs ties up Noel Acciari #55 of the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 21, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens
MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 09: Matt Duchene Jake Gardiner Montreal Canadiens (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Many consider Jake Gardiner to be unreliable and inconsistent but what’s important to note is that he spent his season playing alongside Ron Hainsey and Nikita Zaitsev. If he were to sign with the Montreal Canadiens, Gardiner would have the chance to play on a pairing with Shea Weber or Jeff Petry. Considering the contract, they would have to pay him and his point total which would make him the best LD on the Canadiens, it makes sense to slot him next to Weber, especially on the powerplay.

Who is the Best Option?

If it came down to the Montreal Canadiens choosing one player, it would all depend on what kind of issue they are looking to solve.

Matt Duchene brings an elite level of talent to a roster that needs that kind of player, but with so many centres already on the team, several moves would have to be made to accommodate this signing. In signing Jake Gardiner, the Canadiens would be able to round out a defensive core that struggled for the majority of last season, and he would most likely be cheaper than Matt Duchene, but the team up front would have to bank on their prospects being capable of playing to their full potential in the NHL. It is a tie between both players.

Next. Three trades to make after a Duchene signing. dark

If the salary cap were not an issue, either of the two players would big additions to the Montreal Canadiens and would help them take that extra step that they couldn’t take last season.

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