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Montreal Canadiens: Three Bold Habs Trades To Take Advantage Of Struggling Teams

By Ken MacMillan

Oct 2, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi battles for position against Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard (58) in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi battles for position against Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard (58) in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports /

Carolina Hurricanes

Admittedly, this will be the least bold of the three trade proposals here, but the Carolina Hurricanes definitely do make sensible trade partners at this time. Of course, the Canadiens and Hurricanes have a bit of a disastrous trade history involving Jesperi Kotkaniemi but leadership has mostly changed in Montreal since then so they could probably work things out.

The Hurricanes are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender but have a bit of a question mark in goal. Frederik Andersen is their number one guy but he is now out long term and there are questions surrounding his status and how soon he could return.

The Canadiens have three goaltenders in Sam Montembeault, Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau and would like to make it two. Could one of them end up in Carolina?

It would make sense. The Hurricanes have a great defensive team and don’t need a Vezina candidate in goal to win games, they just need someone to be consistently pretty good and they will look great behind the Hurricanes defense. That kind of sounds like a good role for Montembeault.

The Hurricanes don’t have the cap space to land a $5 million netminder to replace Andersen, especially with the possibility he will return at some point and can’t just sit on long-term injured reserve all season. There also are not many teams looking to trade a goalie right now.

It has resulted in Carolina bringing in 38 year old Jaroslav Halak on a tryout to see if he can still help an NHL team. Montembeault stands a better chance of actually helping an NHL team and wouldn’t cost a ton. If the Canadiens agree to take back Tony DeAngelo who the Hurricanes are apparently trying to get rid of, it would mean the Canes save a little cap space, get rid of a problem on their blue line, and get an upgrade in goal.

Of course, the Canadiens would also want something like a second round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft to pull the trigger on this deal. DeAngelo could help the power play, or he could just be told to stay home if the Habs don’t like him. He already has the distinct honour of being bought out by two separate teams in the NHL so it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he was just told to go away.

For eating that $1.6 million over the rest of this season, and giving up Montembeault, the Canadiens could add a nice pick in next spring’s draft.

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