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
VANCOUVER, BC – DECEMBER 17: Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

Montreal Canadiens’ media have mentioned the only way the team considers moving Tomas Tatar or Jeff Petry is if a first-round pick or an A prospect is included. New Jersey got something close to that as Foote has been solid in the WHL and was considered a top-five prospect in the Lightning organization.

Marc Bergevin is running out of time. You can say the Habs can wait another couple days to see where they are, but let’s be honest for a minute. The team is eight points back and will need to go on a hefty run to get back in the thick of things.

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There are three more games between now and the Trade Deadline against the Detroit Red Wings, Washington Capitals, and Ottawa Senators. Even if the Montreal Canadiens won all three, they’d sit at 68 points, and it’s poor to assume all the teams ahead of them will lose all their games along the way.

When you take into account that the playoffs are a long shot and you look at the prices these teams are giving up for players, especially scoring forwards, it’s hard to justify Bergevin standing pat on this.

What is the overall goal? Are the Montreal Canadiens a team for the now or a team for the future? Building on the fly hasn’t necessarily worked and passing up on the opportunity to add more assets for players who likely aren’t in the long-term plans doesn’t make sense.

Let’s set aside Tatar and Petry, Ilya Kovalchuk has been a great addition for the team both on and off the ice. However, he has to be moved. Kovalchuk has 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points in 19 games with the Montreal Canadiens and 21 points in 36 total games this season.