Trade Pick For Struggling Young Player With High Potential
The Canadiens have made a couple of recent trades that have the potential to really push the rebuild forward in a hurry.
While injuries have kind of ruined it so far, Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook both look like they could be top six weapons for the Canadiens in the near future.
Dach was acquired for the 13th and 66th overall picks in the 2022 NHL Draft. Newhook was acquired a year later at the 2023 NHL Draft for the 31st and 37th overall picks. Both Dach and Newhook were former top picks, but kind of struggling to find their way at the NHL level. The Canadiens rolled the dice they could find their potential in a new market, and they have looked good in Montreal, though injuries have slowed their progress.
Dach had just 26 points in 70 games before arriving in Montreal and Newhook had 30 points in 82 games in the season before being acquired by the Canadiens.
Who could be their next target in a trade like this? Perhaps Alex Turcotte of the Los Angeles Kings, Kappo Kakko of the New York Rangers, Peyton Krebs of the Buffalo Sabres or Alexandre Holtz of the New Jersey Devils.
They are all young players who have not broken out at the NHL level yet but have incredibly high potential. These are exactly the types of players Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has targeted since he arrived in Montreal and there are plenty of options out there this offseason to go after.
Now Hughes has the perfect trade chip to land this type of player and hope they can reach their potential with the Canadiens.