‘Huge Blow’ as Canadiens Best Trade Assets Going Into The NHL Draft for cash considerations

The Montreal Canadiens have confirmed their intention to be active in the trade market this offseason, and they have some intriguing assets to offer.During their end-of-season press conference, General Manager Kent Hughes and Executive Vice President Jeff Gorton openly expressed their desire to make moves this summer with the goal of improving the team’s long-term outlook.While standing pat is always a possibility, NHL betting odds don’t paint a particularly optimistic picture for the Canadiens’ chances of making the playoffs next season unless they make significant additions.However, remaining inactive seems highly unlikely. Over the past two years, the Canadiens have executed some notable trades leading up to or during the NHL Draft, acquiring Kirby Dach in 2022 and Alex Newhook in 2023.As they head into the 2024 offseason with a clear need for scoring forwards, Hughes and Gorton have some valuable trade chips to potentially make bigger moves this summer.

What Assets Do the Canadiens Have to Offer?

The Canadiens have several interesting pieces that could attract interest from other teams looking to improve their rosters. Some of the key assets they can potentially offer in trades include:

• High draft picks: The Canadiens have been stockpiling draft capital in recent years and could package some of their selections to acquire established talent.
• Promising young players: Montreal has several promising young players like Juraj Slafkovský, Lane Hutson, and Kaiden Guhle who could be enticing targets for other teams.
• Veteran leadership: The Canadiens have some experienced players like Nick Suzuki, Brendan Gallagher, and Joel Edmundson who could provide valuable leadership and stability to a contending team.

With a clear need for scoring and a willingness to make moves, the Canadiens are poised to be one of the more active teams in the trade market this offseason as they look to improve their roster and position themselves for long-term success.

2025 1st-Round Picks

The Montreal Canadiens have strategically accumulated a significant number of picks for the 2025 NHL Draft, which could be leveraged in trades to strengthen their roster.Notably, the Canadiens possess the Calgary Flames’ 1st-round pick (or potentially Florida’s, depending on conditions) from the Sean Monahan trade, in addition to their own 1st-round pick in 2025.

This provides them with the flexibility to potentially package one of these selections in a trade.However, trading a pick without any protection a year in advance is unlikely. If the Canadiens do decide to trade one of their 2025 1st-round picks, it’s probable that they would include a stipulation to transfer the weaker of the two picks at the time of the 2025 NHL Draft.

This type of condition is common in trades, as seen in the Detroit Red Wings’ acquisition of Alex DeBrincat, where Ottawa received the lesser of the Red Wings’ two 2024 1st-round picks, along with additional assets.If a highly coveted player becomes available who could significantly contribute to the Canadiens’ long-term success, these picks could be used as valuable trade chips to secure that talent.

Young Defenceman

General Manager Kent Hughes is faced with the task of determining which of these defensemen are untouchable, valuable assets to retain, or expendable pieces that could be used in trades.Among the left-shot defensemen who could potentially be involved in trade discussions are Justin Barron, Jordan Harris, Jayden Struble, and possibly even Adam Engstrom or Logan Mailloux.

Hughes may look to package these players as trade bait to acquire a young forward or as part of a larger deal to bring in an impact player.While Kaiden Guhle is an exceptional talent, there is a slim possibility that he could be included in a trade if it meant acquiring a top-tier, can’t-miss forward. However, the Canadiens appear reluctant to entertain this scenario at the moment.

With an abundance of promising defensemen and limited roster spots, the Canadiens will need to make strategic decisions regarding their defensive corps. Trading some of these assets could provide the opportunity to address other areas of need and strengthen the team’s overall competitiveness. 

David Savard

There was significant interest in trading for David Savard at this year’s NHL trade deadline, but a less-than-ideal buyer’s market and limited cap space for contending teams made completing a deal challenging.However, the upcoming offseason, with the rising salary cap, presents a vastly different landscape for potential trades involving Savard.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that Savard should be actively shopped and traded for less than his true value. But if the Canadiens receive their desired return, such as a 1st-round pick or more, for their 34-year-old veteran defenseman, it could enable them to quickly pivot and pursue a trade to acquire a much-needed scoring forward.

Alternatively, if there isn’t a strong market for Savard, retaining him and allowing him to mentor young defensemen like Lane Hutson and Arber Xhekaj during the season could be valuable.

The Canadiens could then reassess their options and potentially explore trading Savard again at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline.The Canadiens will need to carefully weigh their options and determine if trading Savard for the right price is the best course of action to address their need for scoring while also considering the potential benefits of keeping him to aid in the development of their young defensive prospects.

Prospects Galore

The Montreal Canadiens boast a deep prospect pool that extends beyond the recently turned professional defensemen.

Players such as Filip Mesar, Owen Beck, and Joshua Roy are forwards who are likely to draw interest in potential trade discussions. While Beck or Roy may not be available for trade, prospects like Mesar, Sean Farrell, and Oliver Kapanen, who is currently showcasing his skills in the World Championship tournament, could be considered as trade assets for teams seeking to enhance their prospect depth and infuse youth into their roster.

Although the Canadiens have a surplus of quality defensemen who could be included in trades, it is not out of the question for them to consider parting ways with a young forward to acquire either an established player or a promising young forward to expedite their rebuilding process.

Mike Matheson

Mike Matheson stands out as the most valuable trade asset that the Montreal Canadiens could consider parting ways with, as his inclusion in any trade proposal would undoubtedly capture the attention of most general managers.

Having finished 9th in scoring among NHL defensemen this season with an impressive 62-point performance, Matheson’s value to both the Canadiens and the league as a whole has surged in correlation with his on-ice production.

Despite his elevated trade value, the Canadiens currently regard Matheson as their top defenseman and are not inclined to move him at this time. He plays a crucial role by logging significant ice time and shielding younger defensemen from more challenging matchups as they progress in their NHL development.

This strategic role Matheson plays holds significant value for the team. However, his impressive offensive output combined with his favorable contract of $4.875 million for the next two seasons make him an enticing asset to consider offering in a trade scenario, especially if it could result in acquiring a young forward in the 21-25 age bracket who can contribute at the level of players like Cole Caufield or Nick Suzuki.