Montreal Canadiens: Three Potential Sean Monahan Trade Packages On Seller's Market

Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals are in a bit of weird spot as an organization right now. They are not quite good enough to consider themselves playoff locks at the moment, and currently sit just outside the playoff bubble as we sit early in the second half of the season.

At the same time, they have an aging core that includes the legendary Alex Ovechkin who is chasing down history as he approaches Wayne Gretzky's all time goal scoring record. Even though they probably shouldn't be reckless as buyers ahead of the trade deadline, they kind of owe it to their franchise star to put a competitive team on the ice.

That could lead to them buying a player like Monahan. Especially since Nicklas Backstrom has been ruled out for the season and Evgeny Kuznetsov has not been effective this season and has recently been moved to the wing. They need some depth down the middle to really be competitive in the Metropolitan Division.

The Capitals are not in a position to trade their top prospects like Ryan Leonard or Andrew Cristall, but they could put forward an enticing offer of Hendrix Lapierre.

The Gatineau, Quebec native was a star in the QMJHL for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens and Acadie-Bathurst Titan before turning pro in 2022-23. He scored 30 points in 60 games with the Hershey Bears that season and has eight points in 11 AHL games this season to go with seven points in 25 NHL games this season.

The 21 year old projects as a point producing and playmaking center which is why he was drafted in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft. He hasn't really wowed yet at the pro level but the local boy could be an interesting add for the Canadiens and would fill a need as a young center.