Report: Canadiens Likely to have a Quiet Trade Deadline

Last week, we had an article on the site detailing what the Canadiens’ trade deadline could look like. Unfortunately, much of it was predicated on health and players increasing their value between now and March 3rd. Since then, not much has changed, with Sean Monahan and Joel Edmundson both still out with injuries and few players performing at a level worth giving up premium assets for.

With most of the top performers coming from young players or veterans that the Canadiens don’t intend to move, it seems that any significant trades won’t come to fruition. That’s why, when Jeff Marek came out and said the Canadiens were likely going to be quiet at the trade deadline, it wasn’t that surprising.

It takes two to make a deal, and while I believe some players on the Canadiens could help teams come playoff time, I don’t think anyone is lining up to acquire them. Jeff Marek said that Hughes likes his veteran group, believing that they have the right mix, but I can’t help but wonder if that’s just a positive spin. Two things can be true, he can like his group but also not be receiving any offers worth accepting if any at all. Veterans are important, especially on a young team, but they aren’t exactly difficult to find or replace.

This leads me to believe that Kent Hughes likes his group but was willing to part ways with them for the right price. Based on how things have gone, I’d wager that the right price isn’t being offered, which will likely remain true come trade deadline day. As Canadiens fans are well aware, injuries have certainly played a factor in this, with both of Montreal’s hottest trade chips missing significant time so far this year. Now, just a week out, it’s hard to envision anything happening between now and then that will change other GMs’ minds.

This doesn’t mean the Canadiens won’t do anything, just that we are not likely to see a blockbuster-type trade like last season. The Canadiens added two first-round picks through trades leading up to the deadline, perhaps most notably picking up Florida’s 2023 first-round pick in exchange for Ben Chiarot. We might see the Habs pick up a mid to late-round pick, but unless they get an offer they can’t refuse for a player they weren’t previously looking to move, I don’t expect Habs fans to have their socks blown off by any moves this year.

Elliotte Friedman suggested that the Canadiens could potentially be in the market to help teams looking to shed salary, especially if prospects are also coming the Canadiens’ way. Of course, the Rangers are the natural link there, with Canadiens Vice President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton previously working as the GM in New York. But even then, it doesn’t appear as though the Canadiens have the cap flexibility to do that, at least not until they move someone else out first.

So, what could’ve been a must-watch trade deadline at the beginning of February is quickly shaping up to be a bit of a dud. Its possible things could change between now and the March 3rd deadline, but I wouldn’t count on it at this point. That’s a bit of a tough pill to swallow for Habs fans, but it isn’t the end of the world. For instance, Joel Edmundson still has a year left on his contract, so they didn’t need to trade him, and Sean Monahan could re-sign in Montreal after the season to try and rebound. All in all, it still is disappointing, and Kent Hughes has to be thinking about what a missed opportunity this could end up being. Now he and Jeff Gorton will need to get creative in finding ways to improve the squad.

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