The Canadiens have completed their first trade deadline under the new management group and it was a great success, let us break down why.
The trade deadlines led by former Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin were more often than not disappointing. The 2017 and 2020 deadlines stand out as the worst, one as a buyer, one as a seller. There were, however, some great deadline acquisitions such as Thomas Vanek in 2014 and Jeff Petry in 2015. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes have gotten off to a fantastic start in this regard. They made four deadline trades (we’re including the Chiarot deal) and three netted impressive returns. Without further ado, let us break down this trade deadline in which the Habs were sellers.
The Ben Chiarot trade had been greatly anticipated throughout the season, from the moment it began clear the Canadiens would contend for the playoffs, and it certainly did not disappoint! I should probably preface this breakdown by saying that I’ve never been a huge fan of Chiarot, especially in the last two years, due to his tendency to chase hits, ice pucks, and lack composure under any pressure with the puck in the defensive zone. This view of the player will impact my opinion of the trade, but I believe that even those who adore his rough style of play can agree that this return is excellent for a pending UFA.
The fourth-round pick is a nice little throw-in and simply adds to the Habs’ huge amount of mid-round selections (which we will break down in the conclusion). For context, the Habs drafted Joshua Roy in the 5th round just last year and he now leads the QMJHL in points. While I don’t see Roy as an A-level prospect, his progression has been huge and he is certainly outplaying his draft slot.
Ty Smilanic is an interesting B-prospect, just as Emil Heineman was in the Toffoli trade, and fits the mould Hughes and Gorton are striving for: speed, mobility, and intelligence. Smilanic was a Florida 3rd round pick in 2020 and is defined by his high motor, quickness, and shooting skill. While his NCAA production has yet to take off, the centreman has scored 13 goals and 22 points in 39 games for Quinnipiac, he has interesting tools that could bring him to the NHL, as Scott Cowan wrote.
It is, however, the unprotected first-round draft pick that is the jewel of the return. No matter where it falls, it will produce the most valuable piece in the return, but there is potential for something incredible. First off, this is a 2023 selection, a draft class that blows 2022 out of the water (there are at least three players in Connor Bedard, Matvei Michkov, and Adam Fantilli that would be locks for #1 this year), the Habs could very well add an A-prospect to the fold with that selection.
Second, there is no guarantee of Florida’s success next year. They are, of course, an extremely well-built team that has looked downright dominant this year, but teams fall off cliffs from season to season on a yearly basis. Look at two of the four 2021 Conference Finalists, the Habs and Islanders are out of playoff contention this season and the Vegas Golden Knights are currently clinging on to the final wild-card spot in the West. There is a possibility that the Habs added a lottery pick in a stacked draft class by trading Chiarot, and there is the slimmest of chances that the Habs added a franchise player in the form of Connor Bedard or Matvei Michkov. Unlikely as that may be, this is a home run of a trade for the Canadiens.
Grade: A+