What to expect from the Montreal Canadiens on Trade Deadline Day
By Omar L
Trade Deadline Day is here, and the Montreal Canadiens are still one of the most interesting teams as they have players to sell but assets to spend.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Nothing gets the eyes buzzing and fingers moving like the NHL Trade Deadline, and even though analysts have been predicting a relatively slower day for weeks, there’s still a chance some crazy things take place. Whether the Montreal Canadiens are involved in any of this depends on what Marc Bergevin‘s thoughts are about his roster heading into the final stretch of the 2019-20 season.
So, where are we? The Habs are currently 6th in the Atlantic Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 29-27-8 record good for 66 points on the year. The battle of the wild-card spots has been set between the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, and Columbus Blue Jackets, who all sit with 74 points while there’s still hope for the New York Rangers who are four points out.
If the Montreal Canadiens want to make the playoffs, it’ll have to be via the third spot in the Atlantic Division. The Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning are gone with the first and second seed, respectively, and that may change considering how hot the latter has been.
The Toronto Maple Leafs currently hold the third spot, but they’ve lacked the consistency to run away with it. The Florida Panthers are also in on that spot and haven’t done themselves any favours sitting four points back. Montreal is six points back, which isn’t the biggest gap.
Bergevin may believe the team is good enough to take that spot. On the other hand, the Habs have started to sell already and continuing on with that effort seems to be the better option, especially considering what teams have been giving up.
So what should Montreal Canadiens fans expect for Trade Deadline day?