Montreal Canadiens: Five Potential Jeff Petry Trades
The Montreal Canadiens are going to be sellers at the trade deadline, so the only real question is, how much will they sell?
It is just a matter of time before pending free agents like Ben Chiarot, Brett Kulak, Mathieu Perreault and Chris Wideman are dealt. But who else is going to be dealt from the Canadiens before the March 21st cutoff date?
Well, rumours are swirling pretty strongly that Jeff Petry will be.
Petry is not having a good season, but he has been sensational for the Canadiens over the past four seasons. From 2017-2021, Petry scored 48 goals and 170 points. This put him 12th among defensemen in points and seventh among all NHL blue liners in goals. He was also great defensively in that time, playing a big role on the penalty kill and taking on top opposition regularly at even strength.
This season has not gone well for Petry. He has just one goal and six points in 37 games. It sounds like he has asked to be traded, possibly explaining his play dropping off. His family is living south of the border in Michigan and it seems to have had a big impact on his on-ice performance.
HIs struggles could affect his trade value, as could his four year contract with a cap hit of $6.25 million. But, who is having a good season in Montreal this year?
The Canadiens need to find a trade partner who believes Petry’s play this season is related to the entire team being awful, and his off-ice situation sucking the love of the game out of him. A trade to an American team would allow him to live with his family again, and would also guarantee he is on a better hockey team.
Literally anywhere in the NHL is better than Montreal right now. Which is probably part of the reason Petry isn’t playing like he has in the past.
The Canadiens are not going to give him away. They are going to find a spot that values him and they will get fair value in return. If the Canadiens can take back a big contract another team wants to shed, they will definitely get a first round pick or a top prospect for Petry.
Who could be that fit? Let’s look at some of the likely destinations.