Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have already mapped out their strategy for the March 3 trade deadline. The Canadian will remain in the sellers’ camp. But there aren’t many interesting cards in the game of the two hockey men.
The newspaper surveyed four professional NHL scouts, on condition of anonymity, to find out the market value of players.
There is not a single player who will bring the moon to the Habs. The few interesting candidates also remain key elements for the relaunch of this training one day.
A professional scout from a Western Association team offered this analysis by describing one of the issues for the CH.
“How long do you want to lose?” You can’t empty the entire club, he said. You need guys to show the way and spread the culture you want to establish. Martin St-Louis is doing a good job. The atmosphere is good, the players respond well. And don’t forget that St. Louis is used to winning. »
The plan derails
A few months ago, the CH had hopes of acquiring another first-round pick for the promising 2023 draft.
Already well armed with its own first-round pick and that of the Florida Panthers, acquired in the Ben Chiarot trade, the Habs could dream of getting another first-round pick in a trade for Sean Monahan. But the plan was derailed due to Monahan’s more than fragile state of health.
Ditto for Joel Edmundson who had the potential to provide another good choice or hope to the organization.
Here are ten players likely to intrigue the general managers of other NHL teams. We present them to you in four categories.
AT YOUR PERIL
Sean Monahan
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $6.375M
Free agent without compensation at the end of the year
Injured in the right foot, Monahan has not played since December 5 in Vancouver. The 28-year-old center has a heavy history with injuries, having undergone hip surgery last spring. He took part in the CH’s morning training last Saturday in Toronto, but we haven’t seen him on the ice since that day. He would probably have discomfort in the groin or a hip.
“Is there a market? There is always a market. But the CH will not have what he wanted for him, warned a recruiter from the East. He does not play. You can take a chance if the cost is very low. It gets complicated for the Canadian. Is it worth trading it for a 3rd round pick and eating the extra cash? They have to keep 50% of the salary to move it. »
“Even for a choice of 4 or 5, a team will think about it, added a recruiter from the West. If he plays like the start of the season, you can hit a home run. But there are too many ifs. »
Joel Edmundson
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $3.5M
Until 2023-2024
Described as day to day since January 26, Edmundson is still not close to a return to play. The big defender is most likely suffering from a back injury.
“Like Monahan, there is a brake for many teams, warned a recruiter from the East. He has a contract next year and he has a recurring back injury. It’s worse than Monahan. With Sean, there is a risk for only a few months. In the case of Joel, we are talking about four million on the mass for another season and we do not know if he will recover from his back injury. »
AGAINST AN IRRESISTIBLE OFFER
Josh Anderson
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $5.5M
Until 2026-2027
Kent Hughes has often said that his cell phone often rings for Josh Anderson. The CEO of CH would not intend to trade him, but he could be convinced if a very good offer is made. To use the words of
Marc Bergevin, Anderson has a rare profile, that of a power forward.
“You can see it two ways. It is a marker of
20 or more goals. At $5.5 million for 20 goals, that’s not bad. But at that salary and with a good squad, he’s a third-line winger making too much money, an Eastern scout said. »
“The CH needs players, recalled a recruiter from the West. Future free agents will not fight to come to Montreal. Quality guys will be looking for winning teams. There will only be mercenaries who will want to come even if St-Louis has a good reputation as a coach. Josh’s value in two years will be just as good. There is no urgency. »
David Savard
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $3.5M
Until 2023-2024
Savard won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2021. He has experience and is a good defensive defender who does not hesitate to sacrifice himself for the team. In theory, Hughes and Gorton have no intention of trading him. It fits perfectly into the culture that St-Louis seeks to establish.
“The CH will want to keep him, he is too important with the young defenders, underlined a recruiter from the East. The price would not be good enough for what he gives the Canadian. »
“At some point, you can’t get all your clothes off,” added a Western scout. You must not forget that there is a season next year and the year after. You need veterans to guide young people. »
THINK ABOUT IT
Jake Allen
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $2.875M but $3.850M for the next two seasons
Allen has a reputation as a good number two goaltender, but not a number one. With the emergence of Samuel Montembeault, the goalkeeper from New Brunswick could find himself in the showcase. But Hughes and St. Louis consistently portray him as a true pro, a player they want to continue rebuilding this team with. There are several teams that would like to strengthen at this position by March 3.
“At 3.85 million for the next two seasons, Allen becomes a pretty big investment,” said an Eastern scout. If the CH wants to move it, you do it in the repechage or before the next season. »
Christian Dvorak
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $4.45M
Until 2024-2025
Dvorak has played every CH game this season, scoring 25 points (9 goals, 16 assists). He’s not a fast skater, but he wins his face-offs (51.9%) and he can play shorthanded.
“In my eyes, we’re talking about too long a contract and too much money,” said a recruiter from the East. For me, it’s a third defensive center. He never reached his potential. He is the type of player who hurts your salary envelope. It does what Evans ($1.7M) should, but at twice the price. »
Evgenii Dadonov
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $5M
Free agent without compensation at the end of the season
Acquired from Vegas to get rid of Shea Weber’s contract, Dadonov really did not have a good season with 18 points (4 goals, 14 assists) in 48 games.
“There’s no market for a winger like him,” replied an Eastern scout. He has already scored 20 goals, but that’s an old story. »
Mike Hoffman
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $4.5M
Until 2023-2024
Hoffman has nine goals and 23 points in 43 games this season.
The 33-year-old striker can play on the power play, but he’s not a master of the defensive game and he doesn’t have any toughness in his game.
“We forget Hoffman, replied a recruiter from the East. If a team ever goes looking for him, they’re in a panic. And I don’t understand the reports from their pro recruiters. »
Joel Armia
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $3.4M
Until 2025-2026
Armia is big, tall and strong. He protects the puck well, he has skills and a good shot. But he also and above all has another miserable season with 11 points
(4 goals, 7 assists) in 37 games. The Finn is made of porcelain, spending a lot of time in the infirmary.
“It’s impossible to trade him, predicted a recruiter from the West. You forget that. It’s worse than Mike Hoffman. He has a longer contract left. Armia is good in the warm-up, but when it starts he disappears. »
THE BARGAIN RADIUS
Jonathan Drouin
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $5.5M
Free agent without compensation at the end of the season
After a three-assist game against the Blackhawks on Feb. 14, Drouin was candid enough to say he was playing his future.
“This is my last year of contract. If a team is looking to pick me up in the future or by March 3, I need to show things, Drouin said. But right now I just have one job to do and that’s to help the Canadiens. »
“For me, Drouin remains a big bet, underlined a recruiter from the West. A team might be able to sacrifice a sixth-round pick. A team that would be in its plan E. But the CH could also want to offer him a last chance contract next year at around one million. It probably pays more as a bet than trading it for shots. »