Montreal Canadiens: Marc Bergevin is missing out on the trade market

MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 13: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on during the second period against the Calgary Flames at the Bell Centre on January 13, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Calgary Flames 2-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 13: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on during the second period against the Calgary Flames at the Bell Centre on January 13, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Calgary Flames 2-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
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Montreal Canadiens
NEWARK, NJ – JANUARY 20: Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Montreal Canadiens haven’t decided what they’re going to do at the Trade Deadline, but that hasn’t stopped teams from making deals.

The Trade Deadline coverages on the various hockey networks aren’t going to be too happy with what is going on. In the last week, four big trades have taken place in the NHL, seeing playoff-contending teams bulk up for the post-season. However, none of those trades, on either extreme, have included the Montreal Canadiens as more eyes fall on Marc Bergevin.

The Pittsburgh Penguins started things off last Monday, acquiring Jason Zucker for a 2020 first-round pick, prospect Calen Addison, and Alex Galchenyuk (cap dump). Next was Andy Greene heading to the New York Islanders for a 2021 second and prospect David Quenneville, followed by Blake Coleman joining the Tampa Bay Lightning for a conditional first-round pick and prospect Nolan Foote.

Vancouver and Los Angeles were the stars of the most recent deal that took place on Monday. Tyler Toffoli, fresh off his Stadium Series hat-trick, was the main piece in the trade joining the Canucks for Tim Schaller (cap dump), prospect Tyler Madden, a 2020 second and a 2022 conditional pick based on whether Toffoli resigns.

Here are the stats and cap hits of the acquired players at the time of the trade:

  • Zucker: 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points in 45 games – $5.5 million (three years left)
  • Greene: 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points in 53 games – $5 million (pending UFA)
  • Coleman: 21 goals and 10 assists for 21 points in 57 games – $1.8 million (one year left)
  • Toffoli: 18 goals and 16 assists for 24 points in 58 games – $4.6 million (pending UFA)

Each of these trades has at least gave the selling team a prospect and second-round pick. Teams are going in this season and are willing to give off valuable assets to do it.