The Montreal Canadiens are tied atop the Atlantic Division after winning seven of their last eight games. The big question right now is what Kent Hughes might do to help their chances in the playoffs and who might be added to this roster. However, those additions might not be in the form of a trade but rather from two top prospects.
According to Elliotte Friedman, the Canadiens are approaching this season and their roster under the assumption that not only Michael Hage but also Alexander Zharovsky will be available once their respective seasons are over. Hage is currently playing with the University of Michigan, and Zharovsky is playing in Russia in the KHL.
"They've been kind of in the middle of like every rumor that's been out there," Friedman said. "One of the things the Canadians I've heard are operating under the impression is Michael Hage and Alexander Zharvosky, two top forward prospects will be available to them at the end of the season."
The interesting part is that Friedman mentions that these two could be used as part of a trade package. "Some of the talks have centered around other teams' interest in those players, but the Canadians do see them as players for them as soon as their seasons end this year."
For Michael Hage, the prevailing belief was that he was ready to join the Canadiens and make the jump to the NHL last season. However, he elected to return to Michigan and has been incredible for them, with 20 points in the first nine games.
As for Zharovsky, the early part of his timeline was always going to be joining Montreal this season and he is another player who has gotten off to a fast start. He has played in 23 games and has six goals and 12 assists in the KHL.
If both players are still with the Canadiens after the trade deadline, the earliest they could join is after their respective teams' seasons are over. That means it likely would not be until March or April that they would be able to sign their entry-level contract with the Canadiens.
While both could be playing with Montreal this season, the question that Kent Hughes needs to answer is whether they want to be patient with their prospects or get a player who might have more of an immediate impact.
Both Hage and Zharovsky look like they are going to be Top 6 forwards in the NHL. However, it is unlikely they can play at that level right away. Both players are going to carry tremendous trade value, and that is why they are likely generating interest from other teams. For Hughes to get a top-tier player, like a Dylan Larkin, it will almost certainly cost them one of these players.
Regardless of the direction Hughes takes, there is no question that both prospects are going to play key roles for the Montreal Canadiens this season.
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