Montreal Canadiens: Three Realistic Trades Habs Need to Consider with Buffalo Sabres

Victor Olofsson

I did say realistic trade targets right in the title so that’s why you aren’t seeing a Jack Eichel or Rasmus Dahlin deal here. Even the Sabres are smart enough to keep those two cornerstones. There are a lot of problems in Buffalo, but they can’t be blames on Eichel and Dahlin.

Also, Taylor Hall makes way too much money to try and fit under the Habs salary cap.

Though the Sabres won’t trade those two, they could and should look to move just about everyone else. sam Reinhart would be great but as a right winger he doesn’t really have a place in Montreal’s lineup. Josh Anderson, Tyler Toffoli and Brendan Gallagher already take on those roles.

One thing the Habs could use is a goal scoring left winger, especially on that scores on the power play. Well, that just so happens to be Victor Olofsson’s specialty.

Olofsson’s six power play goals this season are fifth in the league and his 12 points with the man advantage rank 6th in the league this season. The Sabres power play is completely run through the left shooting wingers excellent shot. Of their 19 power play goals, Olofsson has been in on 12 of them.

The 25 year old left winger scored 11 goals with the man advantage last season which put him 11th in the league. The Canadiens best power play threat last season was Tomas Tatar who had eight and Nick Suzuki who scored six. No one else on the team had more than three power plays goals all of 2019-20.

Olofsson’s offence at even strength is just okay, while his power play production is excellent. The Canadiens are already great at even strength and don’t need any help there. It’s the special teams that need work and adding an elite shot like Olofsson’s would be huge for the Habs.

Of course, the Sabres don’t need to trade him as he has a cap hit of just over $3 million for this season and next before becoming a restricted free agent.

Giving up a first round pick is something that Bergevin has never done during his time in Montreal as general manager. However, he likely doesn’t run another draft as the Canadiens GM if the Habs miss the playoffs this year.

So, he should consider offering it up for someone who can turn this Habs power play into a major threat. The Canadiens are already great at even strength, but they need some help from their power play in order to win games. Victor Olofsson would give them an elite power play.