The Montreal Canadiens have played better than many expected this season. However, they also just allowed 15 goals in their past two games and are well outside the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.
It all adds up to the Canadiens being sellers for the third consecutive trade deadline. We have seen them take advantage in the past couple years as they traded Tyler Toffoli and Ben Chiarot for separate first round picks as well as prospects in return.
Could we see them add yet another first round pick this year? There is not an obvious trade candidate that will surely bring that back in a deal, but a prominent NHL insider believes there is a deal to be made that will give the Canaidens another first round pick.
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported yesterday that Sean Monahan is one of the most likely players to be traded ahead of the trade deadline and he thinks the Canadiens will get another first round pick for him.
When it's all said and done, #GoHabsGo should end up with 2 first-round picks for Sean Monahan.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 22, 2024
One to take him from #Flames, another one back for his play now.
Deep dive on the state of Monahan's game, potential suitors and recent trade comps.
Link: https://t.co/FikRdh4m54 pic.twitter.com/AX5vBzeViC
He says another because the Canadiens already own a future first round pick from the Flames for taking on the final year of Monahan's contract in the 2022-23 season. Seravalli writes about a robust market for a smart two-way center like Monahan and thinks the Canadiens will be picking twice in the first round after shipping out Monahan.
The Boston Bruins, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs as teams looking to upgrade down the middle.
Monahan has scored 11 goals and 31 points in 46 games so far this season. That has him on pace for 55 over a full season while he always brings value in the faceoff circle and for his play in his own end as well.
With so many top teams looking for help at center ice and not many options available on the trade market, it does make sense that Monahan's trade value is quite high. If so, Kent Hughes needs to strike while the iron is hot and pull the trigger on a deal before an injury knocks Monahan out of the lineup again.