[Speculation] Trade Speculation Still Swirling About the Montreal Canadiens

[RWJC]

Trade Speculation Still Swirling About the Montreal Canadiens

 

The Montreal Canadiens are in reach of a wild-card spot, but there's still trade speculation about who could be available to move to advance the rebuild.

 

The rebuilding Montreal Canadiens are off to a better-than-expected start to this season. Entering this week, they had a 5-4-2 record that leaves them jockeying for an Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

 

Nevertheless, there's speculation swirling that GM Kent Hughes might be planning an early-season trade.

 

The Canadiens carry three goaltenders – Jake Allen, Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau. They can't risk sending Primeau to their AHL affiliate in Laval, as he'll likely be plucked off waivers by a rival club.

 

On Thursday, TSN's Darren Dreger said there could be a decision coming that might involve trading one of them.

 

There was some talk last month linking the 24-year-old Primeau to the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers, but nothing's come of it so far.

 

Making an early-season trade won't be easy for Hughes, given the high number of teams with limited salary-cap space at this stage in the schedule.

 

Allen's $3.85-million annual average value through 2024-25 should ensure he remains in Montreal for at least the remainder of this season.

 

Montembeault ($1 million for this season) and Primeau ($890,000 annually through 2024-25) would be much easier to shop. Still, Hughes could be forced to wait until later in the season when interested teams have accrued sufficient cap space to add players.

 

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli last week observed Sean Monahan was off to a strong start to this season. The 29-year-old center is on a one-year deal with an affordable $1.985-million cap hit and lacks no-trade protection. If he remains healthy and production, Seravalli believes he'll be a fine trade chip for the Canadiens by the March 8 trade deadline.

 

Lyle Richardson
November 6, 2023

 

link to rest of article:

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[canucks curse]

trading your third string goalie is not swirling speculation... its more of a "who cares..."

[cripplereh]

The oil need to stop the leak in goal.

Edited November 6, 2023 by cripplereh

[DeNiro]

30 minutes ago, canucks curse said:

trading your third string goalie is not swirling speculation... its more of a "who cares..."

I mean if they traded Allen to the Oilers that would be huge.

 

Not sure how serious the Habs are about winning this season but if they aren’t they could get a haul from a desperate team.

[Goalie29]

34 minutes ago, canucks curse said:

trading your third string goalie is not swirling speculation... its more of a "who cares..."

 

Not always true.  The Flames trading for San Jose's third string goalie in November 2003 was a key to their future success.

[canuck73_3]

36 minutes ago, Goalie29 said:

 

Not always true.  The Flames trading for San Jose's third string goalie in November 2003 was a key to their future success.

One of the Flames best deals right there with Iginla and Lanny. 

Edited November 6, 2023 by canuck73_3

[Coconuts]

Monahan off to a fantastic start, may finally be over his past injuries. Could be a very valuable addition at that cap hit. I'd be surprised if the Habs didn't get another haul of picks and prospects closer to the deadline, don't expect them to be in the mix for a playoff spot but I suppose you never know.