At the heart of trade rumors for a long time, defender Ben Chiarot was finally traded by the Montreal Canadiens to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday.
In return for the 30-year-old veteran, general manager Kent Hughes got forward Tyler Smilanic, a first-round pick in 2023 and a fourth-round pick this year. The Habs also retain 50% of the remaining salary of the rear.
Chiarot was playing his third season in a CH uniform, having been hired as a free agent in July 2019. At the end of the 2021-2022 season, he will sign a three-year contract that will earn him 3.5 million $ annually. He will therefore become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
In this season of misery with the Habs, the Ontarian amassed seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 54 games. He also maintained a -18 differential.
Before joining the Canadiens, Chiarot was part of the Winnipeg Jets organization for eight seasons. He was a fourth-round pick (120th overall) of the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2009 draft.
Smilanic, for his part, is 20 years old and has never played in the National League. Selected in the third round by the Panthers in 2020, he currently plays for Quinnipiac University in the NCAA. The Denver native has 13 goals and 22 points in 38 games this season.
The hours were counted
Ben Chiarot’s hours in Montreal are numbered. After three years of loyal service in the uniform of the Canadian, the big defender will continue his career under other skies. Provided that Kent Hughes receives, in return, the fair price.
By acquiring Josh Manson from the Anaheim Ducks, the Colorado Avalanche threw away base value on Monday. In return for the 30-year-old American, the Ducks acquired a second-round pick and Drew Helleson, a defenseman the Avalanche selected in the second round of the 2019 auction.
Manson and Chiarot are practically the same size, they are both 30 years old and they will both become unrestricted free agents at the end of the current campaign. This is where the similarities end.
With the rebuilding Ducks, Manson didn’t play 20 minutes a game. Alternating between the second and third pair of defenders, he was never used on the massive attack. And his mobility is, shall we say, reduced.
On the side of Chiarot, we understand that the Canadian wanted to highlight it by using it profusely on the massive attack in recent weeks. A role that was rarely reserved for him before.
Used on the first pair of defenders for most of the season, he has proven to be one of the mainstays of the team on the blue line. His ability to play on the right, even if he is left-handed, allowed Alexander Romanov to take his natural side easy.
In addition, he was an important cog in the Canadian’s surprising push to the final last July. An experience that is certainly worth its weight… choice in the draft for a team wishing to go a long way in the playoffs.
Which teams could it be and what could they offer the Habs?
Calgary Flames
Ben Chiarot offered them an interesting calling card by scoring the winning goal in overtime during the Canadian’s last visit to Calgary. The Ontarian couldn’t provide better proof of his ability to support the attack. But what the Alberta squad lacks is more of a reliable defensive back. This falls even more into the ropes of Chiarot.
The Flames have already traded their first-round pick in the upcoming draft to acquire Tyler Toffoli. There is always the possibility of offering their first right to speak of 2023. And rest assured that Jakob Pelletier is part of the discussions. Kent Hughes is very interested in the 21-year-old striker. The Flames’ 2019 first-round pick has 48 points in as many games (22 goals, 26 assists) so far in his first season in the American League.
Florida Panthers
It is in South Florida that he has scored the most goals since the start of the NHL season. However, among the teams that are currently in the portrait of the playoffs, in the Eastern Conference, it is also one of the places where it agrees the most. Reinforcement to come and solidify the defensive brigade would not do any harm. Yesterday afternoon, the Panthers freed up $2.5 million by trading Frank Vatrano to the Rangers.
In return, Kent Hughes could most certainly inquire about Owen Tippett. The 23-year-old right-winger was recently returned to the American League due to heavy offensive congestion with the Panthers. It is apparently available. Besides, the Panthers have no say until the 3rd round, but could certainly offer their 2023 first-round pick.
New York Rangers
Young, explosive, talented, the Rangers have pretty much all the ingredients to hope to make it a long way in the playoffs. On the blue line, their general is Adam Fox, the last recipient of the Norris Trophy. Behind him, Jacob Trouba is doing well and K’Andre Miller is promised a bright future. In net, they are also well off with the presence of Igor Shesterkin. What this group lacks is the reassuring presence of a veteran with the experience of a long run in the playoffs.
Why not try to solidify the backup goalie position by acquiring Alexander Georgiev? In addition, Jeff Gorton and Nick Bobrov know perfectly well the hopes of this team. Vitali Kravtsov and Nils Lundkvist could be two interesting options. Their first-round picks from the next three seasons are available.
St. Louis Blues
On the blue line, the Blues have a good base with Colton Parayko, Torey Krug and Justin Faulk. However, their left flank lacks a bit of depth. Marco Scandella is a nice guy, but is he really of the caliber to occupy a position on the first pair of defenders? Moreover, a few weeks ago, Jeremy Rutherford, colleague of The Atlethic assigned to cover the Blues, argued that the team was looking for a physical and defensive back.
The problem with the Blues is that they are up against the salary cap. For a transaction to materialize, the Canadian would have to withhold part of Chiarot’s salary. Which wouldn’t be a big sacrifice considering his contract expires in July. Among the Blues’ prospects, we can note Zachary Bolduc and Jake Neighbors, the last two Blues first-round picks. Scott Perunovich, a 23-year-old defenseman who had a stellar NCAA career with the University of Minnesota-Duluth can also be considered.
Minnesota Wild
By buying out Ryan Suter (and Zach Parisé) during the offseason, the Wild freed up several million dollars. In return, the team got rid of a veteran capable of multiplying evenings of more than 23 minutes. The addition of Chiarot could support the work of Jonas Brodin on the left side of the Wild brigade.
According to some, the Canadian would be interested in Jack McBain. The Wild’s 2018 3rd round pick is fresh off his college internship at Boston College where he has 33 points in 24 games this season. A 22-year-old left-handed centre, McBain represented Canada at the last Olympic Games. Recently, he told the Wild that he did not want to sign a contract with them. In return, the Wild would demand a second-round pick. Perhaps there would be a way to kill two birds with one stone for Bill Guerin and Kent Hughes.
Carolina Hurricanes
With Jaccob Salvin and Brady Skjei, the Hurricanes are in business on the left. On the other hand, one can wonder if the right flank does not flutter a little. Brett Pesce is certainly reliable. Can the same be said of Ethan Bear and Jalen Chatfield? Ben Chiarot may be a left-handed defender, but he has been proving for a few weeks that he can do well on the right. This is undoubtedly what the Canadian wanted to demonstrate by placing him to the right of Alexander Romanov. Significantly bigger than Bear, Chiarot would also be an interesting option for the second wave of the Hurricanes’ massive attack.
Seth Jarvis is the Hurricanes’ hottest prospect, but Don Waddell certainly won’t want to let him go. Unless Kent Hughes winks at Ryan Suzuki, Nick’s younger brother. In terms of picks, the Hurricanes had to give up their 2022 first-round pick by making the hostile offer to Jesperi Kotkaniemi. But they have their first-round pick in 2023.