If there's one thing we've learned from the Canadiens' new management, it's that they're open to negotiations almost twelve months of the year. The proof is that they acquired Sean Monahan from the Calgary Flames on August 18, 2022 and Jeff Petry on August 6, 2023 before he was traded to Detroit nine days later.
Today, six days before the transaction deadline, we are still in transaction mode, with the same mindset of listening to offers from other teams, even though we know that each player has a very specific value and that Kent Hughes has no intention of doing so , to fulfill one's value Opposite asks everyone for a favor. Sean Monahan is proof of that. He not only received a first-round pick to acquire in 2022, but another on February 1 to send him to Winnipeg. The price was set and Kent Hughes didn't blink.
Who could go?
The Canadiens will have two unrestricted free agents on the roster come July 1st. Colin White, acquired via waivers last week, and Tanner Pearson. White was acquired so Laval could get one of its best players in Brandon Gignac, while the Rocket could do some series damage if they ever reach the Spring Dance. What is Tanner Pearson's real worth? It would be very surprising if the Canadiens got a good draft pick in exchange for his services, even if the team kept 50% of his salary.
However, if Kent Hughes, for example, decides to act as a middleman by taking on a portion of a player's salary in another transaction, it is very likely that he will get a third-round pick that he cannot get in return for Tanner Pearson.
As for the many rumors that have been circulating about Josh Anderson for years, I believe that, contrary to speculation, the Canadiens have never turned down a first-round pick for his services, and I don't believe there have been many offers this year after his failures gives ice cream.
The threesome
One of the organization's priorities will be to end the ménage à trois, but the question is when. It's hard to say exactly what will happen in the coming days, weeks or months, but Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau could be traded before the start of next season.
Why come to such a conclusion? We have to look at Jakub Dobes' performances with the Rocket over the last few weeks. In his last 23 games (prior to last night), he has a record of 13-6-3 with a save percentage of .920%. It is clear that he will be considered as Samuel Montembeault's second replacement next season.
Not to mention the final three goalkeepers selected last June: Jacob Fowler, Quentin Miller and Yevgeni Volokhin, who are all having outstanding seasons. In short, the Canadiens suddenly have several good goaltenders, which wasn't the case a year ago.
And the defenders?
When Kent Hughes took over two years ago, his priority was to get rid of several players due to major salary cap issues. Salaries had to be released quickly. Today Canadians don't have that problem. That means Kent Hughes isn't willing to let a player like David Savard go for an easy third-round pick. It won't arrive. However, it is realistic to assume that David Savard could switch to a different formation in exactly one year to the day.
As for the many left-handed defensemen on the team, there will likely be one that will be traded, but again, there is no rush.