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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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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 07: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on January 07, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 07: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on January 07, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

1. Max Domi

Max Domi has mostly played center since he joined the Canadiens to start last season. For the first time in many, many years in Montreal, there are going to be too many centers on the team and someone will have to move to the wing.

Nick Suzuki has played too well in the middle as a 20 year old to move him anywhere. Danault is a terrific two-way center and will continue to play that role for the foreseeable future and Jesperi Kotkaniemi had a disappointing season with the Habs this year but will be back at center for the Habs in the near future.

That leaves Domi as the most logical current center to move to the wing when Kotkaniemi returns to the roster. He plays a gritty, physical style but also has some fancy stick-handling skills, can be a very creative playmaker and has an underrated shot. We haven’t seen him bring his top offensive game as often this season, but also year he scored 28 goals and 72 points for the Habs.

With his skills, he could be the best fit to take over Tatar’s role without adding someone from outside the organization. if Domi plays with Danault and Gallagher, it would still be a great defensive line and would have just as much offensive potential as it did with Tatar.

This would allow Suzuki to stay at center next year with Jonathan Drouin and Joel Armia. Kotkaniemi could be back on the third line with Paul Byron and Lehkonen (or Cole Caufield if he plays well at camp).

No matter what they do with the other lines, or who else is brought in over the summer, I think partnering Domi on left wing with Danault and Gallagher is the best solution to fill the void left by a Tatar trade. Domi is not the greatest defensive player, but has some untapped offensive potential that isn’t being realized this season.

Domi could be freed up a bit offensively playing with Danault and Gallagher who would do the heavy lifting defensively. Domi would be asked to carry the puck through the neutral zone more but that is definitely a strength of his and Danault and Gallagher have no problem finishing off plays when given scoring chances.

Next. Avalanche a great fit for Tatar. dark

Tatar-Danault-Gallagher has been a dominant two-way line for the past two years. If Tatar is dealt, the Habs have a few options to fill the role internally, but the best fit would be to move Domi to the wing and let him take over Tatar’s role.

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