1. Make a blockbuster trade with the Calgary Flames
The Montreal Canadiens have done quite well on the trade front with Bergevin at the helm. We haven’t seen a real blockbuster involving multiple big pieces going in either direction. That could change this summer if Bergevin really wants to swing for the fences.
First off, let’s imagine the Calgary Flames fall out of the race in the Pacific Division and miss the playoffs by a point. It is a tight division and anything is possible right now. The Flames could go on a run in the next five weeks and win the division, or they could struggle a bit and just miss the playoffs. Let’s suppose they miss and want to shake things up.
Johnny Gaudreau and Mark Giordano have been the leaders both on and off the ice in Calgary for several years. They have ben part of some really good teams, but they have only won one playoff round. They were the best team in the western conference last year in the regular season, but lost in the opening round of the playoffs to the Colorado Avalanche.
So, if they miss the playoffs this year, it is possible the Flames want to make a big trade to get a different look heading into next season.
They have some great young players like Matthew Tkachuk, Elias Lindholm, Rasmus Andersson, Jusso Valimaki, Noah Hanifin and Sean Monahan. They are all 24 or younger and are already a big piece of the team. They also have a few solid veterans like 36 year old Giordano and though Gaudreau is only 26 he is a veteran and a leader on this team.
If the Flames miss the playoffs this year, it is entirely possible Bergevin could entice them into trading both Giordano and Gaudreau if he offers the right package of young players that could help the Flames in the near future. It would be one step back and then two steps forward for the Flames. It would launch the Habs into immediate contender status.
Giordano was the Norris Trophy winner last season. Yes, he is 36 but he would be an unbelievable partner for Weber on the top pairing. He has 30 points in 57 games this season and still eats minutes in all situations. He averages just under 24 minutes per game and would take the even strength workload off Chiarot’s shoulders. He could help run the power play and be a huge addition to the penalty killing unit as well.
Gaudreau is on pace for 69 points this season and it is a bad year for the 26 year old left winger. He scored 84 points two years ago and had 99 last season. He would transform the Habs power play into a force and also give them their best offensive weapon since Alex Kovalev was at the top of his game.
It would cost a lot to acquire two huge pieces from the Flames. The cost would start with Max Domi and Victor Mete to immediately fill the open vacancies on the Flames roster with younger players that have potential. The Flames would also want the Habs first round pick which is slated to be eighth or ninth overall and a top prospect like Cayden Primeau.
Moving out all those young pieces would be risky for the Habs for sure. But we are told Bergevin is going to be swinging for the fences. You can’t do that if you keep all your cards close to your vest. In order to improve the roster for next season, Bergevin is going to have to risk some of his youth and a top draft pick in a great draft.
We will have to wait and see exactly what Bergevin has planned for this offseason. However, based on what the insiders are saying, it is going to be an interesting offseason for the Montreal Canadiens.