Five Players Guaranteed To Be Moved By The Trade Deadline

The trade deadline is inching closer and Kent Hughes has been given a much more enviable task than one can imagine. Being named the General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens comes with it’s overwhelming and exaggerated amount of pressure, but despite the gargantuan disappointment that is the 2021-22 season, Hughes and ultimately Jeff Gorton are given the opportunity that any administrator envies that that’s to build a team in their image.

Blow it up, so to speak.

Mind you, a typical rebuild in Montreal might not be an option. By typical of course we mean years of basement dwelling and stacking up on high draft picks. The thought of Connor Bedard wearing the Canadiens’ tri-color sweater is appealing, but having to sit through another uninspiring losing season – not so much.

Hughes has mentioned that he is looking to have a modern coach who will be a leader and have a hard focus on a team driven by puck possession and speed. What exactly a “modern coach” means is up for interpretation, but with the constant evolution of the game, highlighting speed and possession is a given.

While the likes of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Alexander Romanov and most likely young veterans like Josh Anderson and Tyler Toffoli will remain part of the future core, here’s a look at 5 players who are pretty much guaranteed to be traded by the March 21st deadline.

I’ll admit, putting Ben Chiarot on this list is disappointing but it is what it is. Chiarot is in the final year of a 3 year $10.5 million contract and turning 31 in May and because of that, there is no way he will want to stick around on a team that will not be competing for a Stanley Cup in the next 3-5 years.

A modified no-trade clause in which he must submit of 10 teams he does not want to be traded to will certainly not cause any issues. Competitive teams will be lining up to get his services even as a rental, as the the hulking defenceman has shown nothing but professionalism all season despite the tumultuous times in Montreal and has been one of the rare players on the team to show a consistent effort.

His resume and very affordable $3.5 million cap hit will likely fetch a first round pick.

Potential Suitors: Florida, Nashville, Rangers, Washington

Everything has already been said about the status and play of Jeff Petry. Ken MacMillan and I have already touched on the trade rumors here and here and it’s really just a matter of time in his case.

A 15 team no-trade list does limit the return for the once Norris Trophy candidate. However, despite being 34 and fresh off a new 4 year $25 million contract that began this season, there will be no shortage of interest even if he has completely checked out of Montreal.

His $6.25 million cap hit might force Kent Hughes to accept a bad contract in return in order to get a package involving picks and prospects.

Potential Suitors: Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville

Ok, i’m cheating here a little bit. Putting Joel Armia on this list is a risk, only because it’s not actually guaranteed he will be picked up at the trade deadline. This might be more of a summer move unless a team steps up and really wants him.

Please someone take him.

The 28 year old is sitting on a risky 4 year $13.6 million contract with a $3.4 million cap hit. Make no mistake, if Armia were to hit free agency last off-season, that’s the kind of contract he would’ve picked up. However, there is no indication this season or last that he can be the player he should be. His indifferent attitude and extreme lack of effort on most nights could make him extremely hard to move.

However, teams on the rise or looking to take on salary might take a flyer on him and see if a resurgence in his play is possible. When he’s on, Armia is an extremely difficult player to take the puck away from and can provide a spark on a line that needs that kind of presence.

If a trade were to be done either at the deadline or in the summer, expect a swap of bad contracts or a package involving a pending UFA along with a third or mid-to-low second round pick.

Potential Suitors: Columbus, Arizona, Seattle, New Jersey

Mike Hoffman shouldn’t have any issues finding a suitor by the trade deadline. In the first of a 3 year deal at a $4.5 million cap hit and no trade restrictions, expect a few teams, contenders or not, to give Kent Hughes a call and see if they can snag Hoffman in order to get some secondary scoring.

Despite starting the season on the injury list, Hoffman has come as advertised amassing 7 goals and 14 points in 30 games. Injuries have become a concern with Hoffman being in his age 32 season but when healthy, he can easily give a team 20 goals if paired with the right linemates.

Hoffman should fetch a depth NHL player with salary and a second round pick.

Potential Suitors: Los Angeles, San Jose, Rangers, Islanders