Montreal Canadiens: Yet Another Prominent NHL Insider Says Habs Will Trade For 1st Round Pick Soon

The Montreal Canadiens have entered their All Star break and we are starting to figure out what this team really is this season.

It has been a difficult squad to figure out as we kind of expected them to explode at any moment, but they often hang in their against tough opposition and play well, but then fall flat on their faces against weaker opponents.

As such, they have stuck around the middle all season, never going on a super long winning streak, but never suffering through an extended losing streak either. They are not sitting at the bottom of the NHL standings, but are also well out of the playoff picture at the same time.

That means they will be sellers for the third consecutive season. There has been a lot of talk online recently about whether or not Sean Monahan will fetch a return of a first round draft pick. For the second time in a matter of days, a prominent NHL insider has reported that there are teams that will be willing to move a first round pick for Monahan, and that the Canadiens are very likely to move the player in a trade before the March 8 trade deadline.

Recently, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported the Canadiens are expected to move Monahan, and they should receive a first round pick in return.

Last night, on TSN's Insider Trading segment, Pierre LeBrun essentially repeated the rumors, saying the Canadiens most likely will be dealing Monahan. He also checked in with several teams to get an idea on what a return for Monahan and will be and heard the $1.85 million cap hit will make it easier to move the veteran center. LeBrun went on to say that, especially if the Habs retain salary, they will be getting a first round pick back for Monahan.

This should really come as no surprise. Monahan is a respected veteran, work ethic is never in question, he is excellent in the faceoff dot, plays center but also showed he can play the wing if needed, is defensively responsible and has 13 goals and 35 points in 49 games this season.

Nick Foligno had 16 points in 42 games before the Toronto Maple Leafs gave up a first round pick for him a couple years back, and people think no one out there will offer a first round pick for Monahan?

The way he is playing, a first round pick shouldn't be enough to get Monahan right now.