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Montreal Canadiens: Grading All of Marc Bergevin’s Trade Deadline Deals

By Ken MacMillan

MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 07: General manager Montreal Canadiens Marc Bergevin (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 07: General manager Montreal Canadiens Marc Bergevin (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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The Montreal Canadiens were active yesterday and in the days leading up to the deadline. They did not make huge deals, but moved out several veterans from their lineup.

The Montreal Canadiens didn’t make any big splashes at the deadline yesterday. Many fans were hoping to see major changes to their organization that is going to miss the postseason for the third straight year.

The Canadiens did not have any pending free agents that are top tier players. That meant in order to get a massive return for someone they would have to part with someone who had term left on their contract.

Rumours swirled around Tomas Tatar and Jeff Petry for weeks. If the Habs were going to add first round draft picks and top prospects from other teams, it would require them to move out Tatar and Petry. They could also have taken offers on Max Domi, Jonathan Drouin or Joel Armia if they wanted to add future assets.

At the end of the day, Bergevin did not trade any of them. He has been a master of trades since he took over the Canadiens organization eight years ago. Though he has been successful in making deals, the team is having a difficult time getting over the hump and back into the postseason.

This year, hopes were high at the beginning of the year, but once again we made it to the trade deadline and were talking about selling assets instead of buying to load up for a playoff run. With Carey Price and Shea Weber getting into their mid-to-late 30’s, now would be a great time to have a competitive team around them.

But they don’t. Bergevin was realistic about the team’s slim to non-existent playoff hopes yesterday. He sold players on expiring contracts for draft picks and one prospect. He didn’t buy any depth pieces or hold on to expiring contracts for a futile playoff chase. He also didn’t sell anyone with term to give the team extra first round picks in June’s draft.

Having said all that, Bergevin did make five trades leading up to the deadline. Let’s take a look at each one and give him a grade for his work.

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