Montreal Canadiens: Should Habs Trade Josh Anderson To Fill Top Line Wing Role?
The Montreal Canadiens have tried many players on the right wing of the first line, but have been unable to find their guy. One guy who seems to always find his way back onto Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield’s line is Josh Anderson. The problem is, aside from his size and physical play, he doesn’t really fit there.
If Juraj Slafkovsky is the plan for the future, that’s great and all, but the Habs need to find the guy that best fits right now and let Slafkovsky develop. There are no players in the current lineup that fit, but one that seems always to have teams calling on him. That player, of course, is Anderson, and I wonder if trading him in a package for a top-line winger could be an option to explore.
Anderson is a fan favourite, and he puts the team first, blocking shots and coming to the defence of his teammates. He is, at minimum a 20-goal scorer, and he is 6’3” and 215 lbs. He flies through the neutral zone, and pushes defenders back – his shot needs to be respected, but he can make simple passing plays.
I listed all the things that endear him to the Canadiens, which are the same things that have kept teams calling to discuss his price tag. Kent Hughes hasn’t, at any point, said that he will move Anderson, but if he doesn’t fit on the top line, he could be a piece in a deal to acquire somebody who can. With the patient approach, the team won’t rush Juraj Slafkovsky or Joshua Roy, so acquiring a guy who is 24 years old or younger, who could slot in beside number 14 and 22, could spark the top line.
Having a trio ironed out to grow and develop together on the top line could really elevate the team. It would also give Roy, Slafkovsky and the younger wingers time to develop. Having strong depth, and a really strong top six is how contenders compete, and that’s why I believe moving Anderson while his value is conceivably high, is the best management of the asset.
Losing Anderson would hurt, but making an NHL trade requires giving to get. If Montreal can figure out its top-line situation, the trickle-down effect will take the pressure off of the rest of the lineup. It won’t come cheap, but if it did, then the player might not have been worth it.
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