The Montreal Canadiens are slated to draft 16th overall. What could they get in a trade if they moved the pick?
The Montreal Canadiens have not traded their first round pick since Bob Gainey traded for Alex Tanguay back in 2008. The following season was the Canadiens centennial campaign, and they had just surprised by finishing first in the Eastern Conference. So, it made sense for the team to “go for it.”
I don’t know that it makes quite as much sense for the 2020 version of the Montreal Canadiens to shift into “go for it” mode and move draft picks, but they have started that process.
The Canadiens held 14 picks in the upcoming NHL Draft not long ago, but traded two of them for goaltender Jake Allen and another late pick for the rights to Joel Edmundson who later signed a four-year contract with a $3.5 million cap hit.
Are they going to continue that recent trend and move a much more valuable pick? Could the team’s first round pick be in play? General Manager Marc Bergevin was on TSN Radio in Montreal and mentioned it was a possibility. He often flat out denied the potential of his team moving first round picks and top prospects, but he seemed more open to the idea last week.
So, what could be available for the Canadiens if they choose to move that pick?
Well, the team would certainly be looking for a top six winger with size that can score goals. Far too often (every year) in Carey Price’s fantastic career, the team in front of him can not score goals when they are needed most.
Ideally, the Canadiens would be able to find a top six right winger with 30 goal pedigree who is either young and under control for a few more years, or is entering the final year of his contract and would agree to an extension immediately.
Of course, that isn’t the Habs only need. If they were able to land a top pairing left defenceman, that would probably be even better than a 30 goal scoring right winger. The Habs have plenty of left defenders who can play second or third pairing minutes, but none that are cut out for 24 or more minutes no a nightly basis.
So, who would fit that description? Let’s take a look at three potential trade scenarios involving the Canadiens first round pick.