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

The narrative on the 36-year-old has changed. The hockey world has seen what he can do when placed in a motivating environment with hardworking players. Kovalchuk is a name that can be a difference-maker on a team’s powerplay and come out strong in a playoff series. Teams will be willing to give up assets for that.

It doesn’t even have to be goodbye forever. Tomas Plekanec was traded during the 2017-18 season, and the Montreal Canadiens added a second-round pick and two prospects. The two prospects didn’t lead to much as both moved on, but the pick turned into Jacob Olofsson. Plekanec came back and signed a one-year deal with the Habs.

If Bergevin is worried about Kovalchuk returning in the offseason, he could always add a condition to the pick if the winger stays with the team he’s traded to. It’s too much to pass up.

Going back to Tatar and Petry, they’re stat line in comparison to the four who have been dealt already is jaw-dropping.

• Tatar: 21 goals and 32 assists for 53 points in 61 games – $4.8 million (one year left)
• Petry: 8 goals and 27 assists for 35 points in 61 games – $5.5 million (one year left)

The Montreal Canadiens clearly have the better players, and with another year on their deal, it could drive the return up even further.

Some say, “How will the Habs replace Tatar and Petry if they’re moved?” Bergevin has been against moving any of those top prospects, aren’t they the ones to fill those spots? And this goes beyond Cole Caufield and Alexander Romanov, what about Cale Fleury and Josh Brook? Not to mention Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Ryan Poehling, Jake Evans and Lukas Vejdemo are all still in the AHL.

If Bergevin chooses to stand pat, he better make sure the Habs are good enough to make the playoffs next season. There’s also the chance he tries to get things going at the drat or even free agency. It’s just frustrating to watch these teams give up assets that could possibly be heading Montreal’s way.