The Canadian | 15 players who could leave

There are only 10 days left until the trade deadline. The Canadian is obviously in the camp of “sellers” given his position in the standings and the reconstruction, total or partial, that his management will operate over the next few months, even years. A look at 15 players who could pack their bags (or not) by March 21.

He’s almost gone

Ben Chiarot

We write “almost” to be polite, because barring an injury, we can assume that Ben Chiarot will cease to be a member of the Habs in the next few days. In mid-February, after trading Tyler Toffoli, general manager Kent Hughes said he had “several calls” about the 30-year-old defender. Then, in a recent Sportsnet interview, any ambiguity was cleared up: “We’re going to trade it,” he told reporter Eric Engels. It has the merit of being clear. Chiarot unquestionably appears to be one of the most attractive defenders on the market, he who is on the way to having the best season of his career on the offensive level. If in addition the Canadian agreed to keep part of his salary, the return could be spectacular.

It wouldn’t surprise anyone

Artturi Lehkonen

We would never have thought to write that, but the fate of the Finn could well give an indication of the timetable for the recovery plan of the management of the CH. Since Lehkonen will become a restricted free agent next summer, the team has no obligation to rush things for him. Still, his value has probably never been higher, when he should set a personal high for points, and maybe also for goals. The 26-year-old striker is a true Swiss army knife, adored by all the coaches who have coached him in Montreal. Hard worker and expert in forechecking, he can substitute at short notice on an offensive line and excels in numerical inferiority. The Canadiens aren’t specifically looking to trade him, Hughes told Sportsnet, but no doors are closed. Trading him quickly for even a high draft pick would signal a long-term rebuild. Offering him a new contract next summer would mean, on the contrary, that he remains in the team’s plans, which could suggest that we hope to find the way to victory more quickly.

Brett Kulak

How to measure the value of a defender with a defensive character, who is certainly reliable, but who is just starting, at 28, to play with regularity on the penalty kill? Kulak expressed his attachment to the Canadiens last weekend after a victory in Edmonton. But is the feeling mutual? Whether he is or not, we suspect that Kent Hughes will not hesitate long if the market for defenders takes off and an attractive offer appears for the number 77, who will be free as air in the summer. next. His agent confirmed to The Press that no serious discussion regarding a new contract had taken place to date. As an indication, remember that a year ago, the Canadian had obtained Jon Merrill in return for a fifth round choice (and Hayden Verbeek, whose contract we wanted to drop).

Chris Wideman

We could compare his case to that of Erik Gustafsson, whom the Habs acquired last year in return for a seventh-round pick – the Philadelphia Flyers also withheld half of his salary. Wideman, who will also become an unrestricted free agent next summer, doesn’t have many strings to his bow, but a top-flight team could make him a lifeline on the power play. The return had been slim for Gustafsson, who admittedly earned more, but had enjoyed a 60-point season two years prior. Wideman would also have notified the CH of his wish to stay in Montreal.

Mathieu Perreault

Two weeks ago, the 34-year-old Quebecer candidly admitted that he could see himself ending the season under other skies. “If teams think I can help them, then yes, I will take that chance. The message couldn’t be clearer. Without a contract at the end of the current season, Perreault is not having an easy campaign, he who suffered several injuries and who had to skip his turn on occasion. He only has 4 points in 17 games. A transaction would undoubtedly involve a (very) modest return, although the qualities of this veteran in power play are still recognized.

Jeff Petry

On January 30, Kent Hughes openly told The Press that he was willing to trade Jeff Petry if a sensible offer presented itself. The 34-year-old defender, whose wife and children left to live in the United States, in particular because of the rigor of the sanitary measures imposed in Quebec, was not leading the way, and he was at loggerheads with the coach- Chef Dominique Ducharme. The arrival of Martin St-Louis behind the bench transformed him: 7 points in 12 games, and a frankly more convincing overall game. Has this renewed life boosted his rating, already rather favorable across the league despite his contract still valid for three years at an average salary of 6.25 million? Or does this new energy make him rather want to continue the adventure in Montreal? A trade near the draft would make more sense, but you never know.

From left field

Jake Allen

The uncertainty surrounding the future of Carey Price makes it more or less implausible the departure of a goalkeeper in the short term: in the event of the unfortunate scenario of a hasty end to career for the number 31, someone would have to defend the net next season! The fact remains that Jake Allen, with Chiarot and Lehkonen, is the Canadian’s best bargaining chip because of his reasonable salary (2.875 million) and the year he still has to spend on his contract. The Edmonton Oilers, who desperately need help at this position, would they be willing to splurge? Here too, the CH has the luxury of taking its time and waiting for the summer if no unavoidable offer is submitted to it. Also, Allen is just recovering from a lower body injury that required two months of recovery. It could dampen the enthusiasm of buyers.

Shea Weber

Three weeks ago, assistant GM John Sedgwick suggested that working full-time with the long-term injured list was not “optimal”. Yet this is what awaits this expert on salary caps and contracts for the next four years if the Canadiens retain the contract of Shea Weber, who will probably no longer play hockey, without officially announcing his retirement. Managing the list of long-term injuries is complex; it has advantages, in particular relative flexibility, but has several impacts, including in relation to the bonuses to be paid. Handing Weber’s contract to a team that’s swimming in the salary space (greetings to the Arizona Coyotes) or a team that wants to gain some flexibility (say the Minnesota Wild) would certainly do the CH a favor. But it’s the kind of situation where the Habs should give a “gift” in addition to Weber’s contract, without possibly receiving anything in return.

Andrew Hammond

With the upcoming return of Jake Allen, and with hopes still alive of seeing Carey Price again this season, congestion is brewing in front of the net. Andrew Hammond is logically the one who would take the first shot. To give it to the Laval Rocket, in the American League, the CH should first submit it to waivers. As long as risking losing him without getting anything, will we try to trade him to a team looking for depth in this position? His three wins in three starts in Montreal may have increased the value of the one acquired simply in return for Brandon Baddock.

Cedric Paquette

He finds himself in this section for the simple and good reason that his contract will expire next summer. Unless his name is thrown into a deal that already involves other players, it’s unlikely that a leading team would be seriously interested in his services. He’s been left out more than 20 times this season and has only two assists… with a bottom-ranked team.

It is complicated

Josh Anderson

He has some very good moments to the right of Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. But if we wanted to renovate from the cellar to the attic, the name of Josh Anderson would necessarily be part of the discussion given his heavy contract, still valid for five seasons. Unlike the other high earners of the CH, the profile of the Ontarian, fast and robust, remains very sought after in the league. While it’s true that Kent Hughes is open to anything, cashing in on Anderson’s value at the height of his career is an obvious possibility.

Brendan Gallagher

The situation is similar for Gallagher, except that signs of slowing down have already appeared in the veteran. He still creates plenty of scoring chances and offensive pressure, but his inability to score this season is not encouraging for either him or his team. He turns 30 in May and is tied to the team for another five years. An unexpected offer could convince Kent Hughes not to miss his chance to get rid of one of the worst contracts on his payroll.

Mike Hoffman

Strange profile than that of Hoffman. He’s not a very responsible player defensively. He does not have an easily exchangeable contract (4.5 million on average for another two years). But when the puck lands on his stick blade near the net, his offensive flair and quick reaction make him a definite threat. Would another DG be tempted?

Paul Byron

A veteran loved by his coaches and teammates. A ruthless worker, allergic to defeat. A leader. All the qualities of Paul Byron are sought after by all NHL teams. But is there any magic left in him? Often injured, this former 20-goal scorer has only scored 10 in his last 85 games this season. At 3.4 million a year, that’s not enough. If we wanted to trade him, we would certainly have to withhold part of his salary for the remaining season from his contract.

Joel Armia

Hands down the most drastic drop from years past, and certainly at the worst time imaginable, being the first season of a four-year pact. Joel Armia’s hockey qualities are undeniable, but his total lack of offensive input since the start of the campaign is a problem. He’s unlikely to be the dream of other teams in the league, but he’s had a strong playoff run in 2021.

Note: for the purposes of the exercise, we have excluded veterans of the team who are injured in the medium or long term and those who have not yet played this season. We have disregarded the no-trade or no-move clauses in some of the contracts mentioned in this report.