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Montreal Canadiens: If Tomas Tatar is Dealt, Who Would Replace Him on Habs Top Line?

By Ken MacMillan

MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 05: Tomas Tatar #90 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates a victory against the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre on November 5, 2019 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins 5-4. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 05: Tomas Tatar #90 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates a victory against the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre on November 5, 2019 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins 5-4. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 12: Taylor Hall #91 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on January 12, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 12: Taylor Hall #91 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on January 12, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2. Taylor Hall

The only reason the Canadiens are so hesitant to sell any of these players who have one year left on their deals is they want to compete next year. The team hasn’t really competed this year, and they just missed the playoffs last year. Bergevin believes this year was derailed by injuries and that they could compete for a playoff spot next year.

Well, next year’s team is going to look a lot like last year’s team that almost got in with the addition of Nick Suzuki and Ben Chiarot and the departure of Jordie Benn and Andrew Shaw. If the Habs decide to add Tatar to that departure list, they could decide to make a big splash to ensure they can compete next year.

The biggest possible splash would be to sign unrestricted free agent Taylor Hall this summer. If Bergevin is serious about competing next year he is going to have to give this roster a bit of a boost somehow. Signing the 2018 Hart Trophy winner would certainly do the trick.

Hall was already traded this season and is likely to hit the free agent market in July. He has 47 points in 57 games split between the New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes. His offensive production is similar to Tatar’s this season but he has a much better track record over the course of his career. Hall plays a tenacious, gritty style but also has the skill, speed and flash of some of the best offensive players in the game.

Hall has had a difficult time finding the right chemistry with linemates throughout his career. Danault and Gallagher play a simple, hardworking, style and thrive on winning battles for pucks and playing the cycle game. Putting Hall in the slot in the offensive zone while Danault and Gallagher do the heaviest lifting in the corners and in front of the net would give Hall the freedom to carry the puck up ice and then get open in the offensive zone and prepare for scoring chances.

It is a bit of a fantasy land here obviously as there is no guarantee Hall would even want to sign in Montreal or that the Habs would think he is the right fit at the huge contract he is sure to demand. However, if the Canadiens really want to compete next year, a two-way line of Hall-Danault-Gallagher would go a long way in ensuring they qualify for the postseason.

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