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3 Trade Deadline Candidates for the Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens are looking great but still aren’t the greatest they can be. With players’ names in the air, here are the three biggest.
The Montréal Canadiens sit 6th in the Atlantic Division with a record of 20-18-4. Even though they are doing better than last season, the team isn’t in a position to compete just yet. With this in mind, there are still some players who could be traded by this deadline to make way for the rookies to develop; here are the three that stick out the most.
Matheson is One of the Most Underrated Defensemen in the NHL
At 6 ‘2”, 187 lbs, Mike Matheson is one of the taller players on the Canadiens roster. Matheson, 30, has made himself well known in Montréal as he worked his way up to the number one defensemen position. Averaging nearly 24 minutes a night, Matheson is one of the league leaders in TOI per game.
With a player like Matheson, you might expect a large contract. However, you’d be wrong. Matheson is only getting paid $4.88 million per season for the next two years. His contract is one of the best in the league for the caliber he brings to the ice. In 40 games this season, he has tallied 20 points (two goals, 18a) and is one of the top point leaders for Montréal.
Dvorak Doesn’t Fit the Timeline for Montréal
Christian Dvorak, 28, has been a solid forward for Montréal since being acquired in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes in 2021. This season, Dvorak has 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 42 games and is 12th in team scoring. In his first season with the club, he recorded 33 points (11g, 22a) in 56 games, which proved how crucial he was to a young and developing team.
Despite his consistency and reputation in Montréal, Dvorak may be one of the first players to go. He is on an expiring deal where he has been getting paid $4.45 million annually for six years. Even though Dvorak is still quite young, he isn’t young enough to be a priority for a long-term extension. With Montréal’s center prospect pool looking promising, Dvorak may have to be moved in order to give the young guns a chance to get ice time in the future.
Savard Catching Trade Attention Across the League
David Savard, 34, has been catching trade attention lately and for proper reasons. While he is mainly known for his defensive capabilities, Savard has been consistent offensively as well. In 36 games with the team this season, Savard has recorded ten points (nine of which were assists). He makes simple but smart plays to transition the puck into the offensive zone.
Savard is in the final year of his four-year, $14 million deal. With an annual cap hit of $3.5 million, many teams are sending their offers to acquire the former Blue Jacket. He is a solid right-handed defenseman, which is pretty hard to come by in the league. Factoring his leadership and playoff experience, Savard is the ideal role model, which is why he is a fan-favorite in Montréal and could easily be anywhere else.
Next: 3 Trade Deadline Candidates for the Seattle Kraken
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