Montreal Canadiens: Three Potential Jonathan Drouin Trades

Winnipeg Jets

In this trade scenario the Canadiens absolutely swing for the fences. They take advantage of a team that has gone through tremendous turnover in the past few months and is having a hard time negotiating a new contract with their star player.

Laine is one of the best goal scorers in the National Hockey League. He had a “down” season last year and finished with 30 goals, which would have put him second on the Montreal Canadiens behind Brendan Gallagher.

During his three year entry level contract, Laine has scored 110 goals. He has the potential to be the top goal scorer in the league over the next decade, given that he is just 21 years old and still trying to find a level of consistency.

The Finnish winger struggled at times last season, but scored 18 goals in one month, showing the tremendous talent that he has. Adding him to the lineup would immediately fix the awful power play and give the Habs one of the best goal scoring threats in the league for the first time since Guy Lafleur was in his prime.

The Jets are currently far apart in negotiations with Laine. He also mentioned to reporters in Finland last week that he was not really happy with the linemates he was given in Winnipeg the past three years. That would not exactly endear him to his teammates and could potentially lead to a trade.

In this deal, the Jets add a top six winger in Drouin to replace Laine. Drouin would be reunited with Nikolaj Ehlers who he played with while a member of the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. To say the pair dominated together would be a massive understatement. They could do serious damage for the Jets.

Winnipeg also lost Tyler Myers to free agency, Jacob Trouba to trade and possibly Dustin Byfuglien to retirement. That means they went from the deepest group of right defensemen in the league to absolutely nothing. Acquiring Cale Fleury gives them a 20 year old who can step into the lineup right away and be a mainstay for a decade.

The Jets also acquire a first round pick from the Canadiens for next season and a second round pick that was originally owned by the Chicago Blackhawks. It provides the Jets with a left winger to immediately step into the lineup, and though he won’t replace Laine’s goals, he would have immediate chemistry on the second line with Ehlers. Add in a potential top four defenceman and a pair of good value draft picks, and the Canadiens could have a future Rocket Richard winner.