5 seemingly unreasonable offseason moves that would make sense for the Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are an organization with a plan in place to build methodically, but they’re also in a decent position to try some rather unconventional tactics this offseason. Tactics that, if implemented, you may say, “This would be a head-scratcher,” but in hindsight, they could honestly be brilliant.
Sure, it would be normal to question all five transactions listed below in foresight, but when you think about each, they could benefit the Habs in the long run. Some of these potential offseason moves may only involve bringing in a player for a year, but the aftereffects would have a positive outlook for a young team like Montreal.
Just to be clear, merely saying these moves would “make sense” doesn’t mean I fully endorse them. In fact, I may critique some, if not all of those mentioned, if Hughes makes such moves. But just because I wouldn’t care for them, it doesn’t mean they wouldn’t make sense, especially if general manager Kent Hughes decides to be thinking ahead two or three seasons down the road.
Trading up in the 2024 NHL Draft
Take one look at the number of picks the Canadiens have in the 2024 NHL Draft, and you’ll know why trading up would be such a luxurious route. Now, this isn’t the preferred route or anything like that, since having the fifth pick is still an outstanding position to be in. But the Canadiens have the means to trade up in the weeks leading up to the draft, given their sheer draft capital.
If there is a player ranked between second and fourth who Kent Hughes thinks highly of, there is no reason he shouldn’t try to orchestrate a trade. And when you think about it, the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, and Columbus Blue Jackets would, and should, all be willing to swap picks, with more assets coming from Hughes in such a trade.
The San Jose Sharks would be far out of the question, as no matter what Hughes would offer, general manager Mike Grier isn’t taking a chance to pass on the opportunity to draft Macklin Celebrini. But everything else is fair game, and well worth giving up assets for, such as a dynamic forward in Ivan Demidov, or another future top blueliner like Artyom Levshunov.