2. Sell
So, if you can't buy, sell.
The Montreal Canadiens could still be sellers at the deadline again, as they are still technically a rebuilding team, and have a number of pending free agents that could be moved for some draft picks and younger players.
For example: David Savard.
Savard is 34 years old, and could be a really good pick up for a competing team to bolster their defensive depth. Its a position he has been put in before.
During the 2020-21 season, Savard was traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Lightning ended up winning the Cup. The year after Savard signed a deal with the Canadiens and the rest is history.
With a glut of defensive prospects and players coming in and developing, it might be difficult to see Savard being resigned. Therefor, trading him during the season might be the better choice over letting him walk for nothing in the offseason.
Christian Dvorak is another player who is older at 29, whose contract is ending this year and will also more than likely be signing with a different team. He has struggled to produce offensively, but can play responsibly in his own zone and win faceoffs. The Habs would likely have to retain part of his $4.45 million salary to move him.
Someone that the Habs would also probably need to retain salary is 31 year old Joel Armia. If Armia accepts to take a step down from $3.4 million which is his current salary, I could see him returning to the team. But if Armia wants to test free-agency, he could get a nice little return as a depth scorer that can kill penalties.
The most interesting question is upcoming free agent Jake Evans. Evans is 28, and right at the edge of the age of this team, but has only grown better and better as his career has progressed. He has developed into a really great shutdown forward and penalty killer.
He will undoubtedly earn more in his next contract, wherever he goes. It depends on how much Evans wants to get paid. Obviously if the team and player are close on their numbers, and the Habs want to keep him, you don't move Evans. But if there is a big rift, or if management doesn't see him in the future of this team, he will likely get a fair bit in the trade.
We have to remember that the Montreal Canadiens are still a young team, that is right at the end of rebuilding. The playoffs are not the ultimate goal this year, and the team will only be getting better. Getting more prospects and picks will only help the team.