Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have already outlined their strategy for the March 3rd trading deadline. The Canadian stays in the seller’s camp. But there aren’t many interesting cards in the two hockey men’s game.
The Journal interviewed four professional NHL scouts on condition of anonymity to find out the market value of players.
There isn’t a single player bringing the moon into the habs. The few interesting candidates also remain key elements for restarting this training one day.
A professional scout from a Western Association team offered this analysis by describing one of the problems for the CH.
“How long do you want to lose?” You can’t empty the whole club, he said. You need people to lead the way and spread the culture you want to establish. Martin St-Louis is doing a good job. The atmosphere is good, the players react well. And don’t forget that St. Louis is used to winning. »
The plan derails
A few months ago, CH was hoping for another first-round pick for the promising 2023 draft.
The Habs are already well armed with their own and the Florida Panthers first-round picks acquired in a trade with Ben Chiarot and could dream of earning another first-round pick in a trade for Sean Monahan. But the plan fell through due to Monahan’s poor health.
Ditto for Joel Edmundson, who had the potential to offer the organization another good choice or hope.
Here are ten players who are likely to fascinate the general managers of other NHL teams. We present them to you in four categories.
AT YOUR RISK
Sean Monahan
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $6.375 million
Free agent without compensation at the end of the year
Injuring his right foot, Monahan has not played in Vancouver since December 5. The 28-year-old center has a serious history of injuries after undergoing hip surgery last spring. He attended CH morning practice in Toronto last Saturday, but we haven’t seen him on the ice since that day. He would likely have groin pain or a hip pain.
“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 risk if the cost is very low. Things get complicated for the Canadian. Is it worth trading it for a third-round pick and eating the extra cash? You have to keep 50% of the salary to defer it. »
“Even with a choice of 4 or 5, a team will think about it,” added a Western recruiter. If he’s playing like he did earlier in the season, you can hit a home run. But there are too many ifs. »
Joel Edmundson
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $3.5 million
Until 2023-2024
Edmundson, who has been described as a day-to-day since January 26, is still nowhere near a return to the game with the tall defender most likely suffering from a back injury.
“Like Monahan, there’s a brake for a lot of teams,” warned an Eastern recruiter. He has a contract next year and he has a recurring back injury. It’s worse than Monahan. Sean is only in danger for a few months. In the case of Joel, we’re talking four million on the pack for one more season and we don’t know if he’ll recover from his back injury. »
AGAINST AN IRRESISTIBLE OFFER
Josh Anderson
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $5.5 million
Until 2026-2027
Kent Hughes has said many times that his cell phone rings for Josh Anderson. The CH CEO wouldn’t plan to trade him, but he could be persuaded 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 in two ways. It’s a sign for
20 or more goals. At $5.5 million for 20 goals, that’s not bad. But at that salary and a good squad, he’s a third-line winger making too much money, an Eastern scout said. »
“CH needs players,” recalled an advertiser from the West. Future free agents won’t be fighting to get to Montreal. Qualified guys will look for winning teams. There will only be mercenaries who want to come, even if St-Louis has a good reputation as a trainer. Josh’s value in two years will be just as good. There is no urgency. »
David Savard
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $3.5 million
Until 2023-2024
Savard won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2021. He has experience and is a good defensive defender who doesn’t hesitate to make sacrifices for the team. In theory, Hughes and Gorton have no intention of trading him. It fits perfectly into the culture that St-Louis wants to establish.
“CH will want to keep him, he’s too important for the young defenders,” emphasized a recruiter from the east. The price wouldn’t be good enough for what it gives the Canadian. »
“At some point you can’t undress completely,” added a western scout. You must remember that there is a season next year and the year after that. You need veterans to guide young people. »
THINK ABOUT IT
Jake Allen
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $2.875 million, but $3.850 million for the next two seasons
Allen has a reputation as a good number two goalkeeper, but not a number one. With the emergence of Samuel Montembeault, the New Brunswick goaltender could find himself in the showcase. But Hughes and St. Louis consistently portray him as a true professional, a player they hope to continue building this team with. Several teams want to strengthen this position by March 3rd.
“At 3.85 million for the next two seasons, Allen is going to be a pretty big investment,” said an Eastern scout. If the CH wants to postpone it, you do it in the repechage or before the next season. »
Christian Dworak
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $4.45 million
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 faceoffs (51.9%) and he can play shorthanded.
“In my opinion we are talking about a contract that is too long and too much money,” said an advertiser from the East. For me it is a third defense center. He never reached his potential. He’s the kind of player that hurts your pay scale. It does what Evans ($1.7 million) should do, but at twice the price. »
Evgeni Dadonov
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $5 million
Free agent without compensation at the end of the season
Brought out of Vegas to off Shea Weber’s contract, Dadonov really didn’t have a great season with 18 points (4 goals, 14 assists) in 48 games.
“There is no market for a winger like him,” replied an Eastern scout. He’s already scored 20 goals, but that’s an old story. »
Mike Hoffman
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $4.5 million
Until 2023-2024
Hoffman has nine goals and 23 points in 43 games this season.
The 33-year-old forward can play on the power play, but he’s not a master of defensive play and he lacks tenacity in his game.
“We forget Hoffman,” replied an Eastern recruiter. If ever a team comes looking for him, they panic. And I don’t understand the reports from their professional recruiters. »
Joel Armia
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $3.4 million
Until 2025-2026
Armia is big, big and strong. He protects the puck well, he has skills and a good shot. But he’s also, and most importantly, having another miserable season with 11 points
(4 goals, 7 assists) in 37 games. The Finn is made of porcelain and spends a lot of time in the infirmary.
“It’s impossible to trade him,” prophesied a recruiter from the West. You forget that. It’s worse than Mike Hoffman. He still has a longer contract. Armia is good at warming up, but when it starts he disappears. »
THE BARGAIN RADIUS
Jonathan Drouin
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Salary: $5.5 million
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’s playing his future.
“This is my last year under contract. If a team wants to pick me up in the future or by March 3rd, I have to show things, Drouin said. But right now I only have one job to do and that is to help Canadians. »
“Drouin remains a big bet for me,” stressed one Western recruiter. A team might be able to sacrifice a sixth-round pick. A team that is on plan E. However, CH could also want to offer him a last-chance contract next year for around one million. It probably pays more as a bet than trading it for shots. »