Montreal Canadiens: Hypothetical Habs Trade With Every Atlantic Division Team

Tampa Bay Lightning

Okay, most of these trades have been pretty minor but this one won’t be. It is tough to make deals within the division so many of these trades are not exactly blockbusters, because that just isn’t realistic.

If any team is going to make a huge trade with the Habs this offseason, it would be the Tampa Bay Lightning. That is because the flat cap basically ruins the Lightning’s chances of keeping their team together. They are currently showing less than $5.5 million in space for next season and need to sign Mikhail Sergachev, Anthony Cirelli and Erik Cernak.

And, the Habs have plenty of cap space so they can take on some money.

So, let’s say the Habs want to get Sergachev back after trading him for Jonathan Drouin. They also want to add another top six winger. Many of the best Lightning forwards have no-trade clauses but Alex Killorn does not.

The Canadiens could pressure Tampa Bay into this deal by threatening to offer sheet Sergachev on October 9th. The Canadiens could sign Sergachev to a contract with a cap hit as high as $6.5 million and the compensation going back to the Lightning would be first and third round picks in the 2021 NHL Draft.

That would be worth it for Sergachev. So, let’s say the Habs approach this by saying, give us Sergachev and Killorn for our first this year, second next year and Cale Fleury. Or, we just take Sergachev for first and third round picks next year because you can’t afford to match our offer.

This way, the Habs would know they are giving up a 16th overall pick instead of holding their breath they don’t win the draft lottery next season. Also, with Kevin Shattenkirk, Zach Bogosian and Luke Schenn all UFAs on the right side, the Bolts could use a physical contributor on right defence.

Also, obviously the Habs get Killorn as well who would fit in well on pretty much any line.