Montreal Canadiens: Hypothetical Habs Trade With Every Metropolitan Division Team

Columbus Blue Jackets

If the Canadiens have a top need right now it is for a physical, goal scoring right winger. They could use other pieces like a legit top pairing left defenceman or some physical wingers for the third or fourth line that can chip in 15 goals or so, but a top six winger that has size, speed and scoring touch would be ideal.

The Blue Jackets are not short on players with size and physicality. They aren’t the highest scoring team in the league, but they might be the most intimidating.

They have a really interesting piece that could be available this offseason. Josh Anderson had a monster season in 2018-19. He imposed his will physically on a regular basis and set career highs offensively with 27 goals and 47 points. He is big at 6’3″ and 215 pounds and is a right shot, right winger. He checks all the boxes for the Canadiens.

At least, the 2018-19 version of him does.

The 2019-20 version of Josh Anderson was a lesser player. He scored just one goal and four points in 26 games. He battled injuries and did not return to play in the postseason at all. But if he is healthy when the puck drops on the 2020-21 season, he would be a great addition to the Habs lineup.

It is difficult to find the right price for Anderson. Is he a 25 goal scoring, physical winger who belongs in the top six? Or is he a one-goal scoring winger who struggled most of this season?

Hard to say what he is until we see him fully healthy again. He is also a restricted free agent and that makes trading for him risky, but it could be well worth it for a team like the Canadiens.