To Trade or Not to Trade: That Is the Question for the Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens organization is dealing with an embarrassment of riches. It’s the kind of problem other teams wish they had. As a result, heading into the NHL trade deadline on March 6, the question is whether they stand pat with what they have or make a trade, taking a swing that might put them in real contender status.

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Problem #1: Too Many NHL-Ready Players

The Canadiens have too many NHL-ready players. Each NHL team is limited to a 23-man active roster, with only 20 dressed for any given game. As a result, up to three players are left in the press box for each game. 

Rotating ageing veterans through those press box spots is not necessarily a bad thing.  Brendan Gallagher, for example, might benefit from the occasional night off- especially during a compressed season like the current one. A few missed regular-season games are a small price to pay if it helps a player remain fresh for the postseason. 

The same cannot be said for young, developing players. They need consistent game action to refine their skills and continue progressing. Sitting in the press box does nothing to aid their development, and extended stretches without playing time can hinder it.

Problem #2: Blocked Development Pathways

During Marc Bergevin‘s tenure (2012-2021), the Canadiens struggled to consistently develop young players. Alex Galchenyuk, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Noah Juulsen, and Mikhail Sergachev are notable examples of players who failed to reach their full potential within the organization. In several cases, those players showed clearer growth only after leaving Montreal, further highlighting systemic issues in the club’s development approach at the time.

Under the new management group of Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes (2022-present), that approach has been completely overhauled. As a result, the Canadiens have restructured their player development staff and implemented a development process widely regarded as world-class. The new method places greater emphasis on individualized development plans, communication, and proper usage at each stage of a player’s career. 

Naturally, a stronger development system introduces its own challenges. At a certain point, AHL time is no longer sufficient for a prospect’s continued growth. NHL experience becomes necessary. This raises a critical question: how does management create roster space for these players?

There is always a player occupying the role a young player is projected to fill. In many cases, that incumbent is performing at a level the young player cannot realistically reach without NHL experience. Promoting youth in these situations may result in a short-term dip in competitiveness, but it can produce significant long-term benefits.

Conversely, leaving a young player in the minors for too long simply because no NHL roster spot is available risks stalling their development altogether. Given the substantial time, resources, and financial investment required to develop prospects, this is a scenario management is eager to avoid.

The Canadiens Currently Face Both Problems.  How Did They Get Here?

Early-season injuries to Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook, Kaiden Guhle, and Kirby Dach forced management to recall several players from the Laval Rocket to fill holes in the roster. Arguably, some of those players were not yet NHL-ready. To stabilize the lineup, management later added veterans Sammy Blais (via waivers), Alexandre Texier (free agency), and Phillip Danault (via trade).  These moves allowed the younger call-ups to be returned to Laval, where they could continue their development in the AHL.

However, the situation has since shifted.  The injured players are now returning to the lineup.

How Does Management Fit Injured Players Back Into the Roster?

The first move has already been made. Sammy Blais was placed on waivers for the third time this season and, after clearing, was assigned to the Laval Rocket.

If Newhook and Laine return to the active roster after the Olympic break, the Canadiens would be carrying 24 players:

Anderson, Bolduc, Caufield, Dach, Danault, Demidov, Evans, Gallagher, Kapanen, Laine, Newhook, Slafkovsky, Suzuki, Texier, Veleno, Carrier, Dobson, Guhle, Hutson, Matheson, Struble, Xhekaj, Dobes, and Montembeault.

Only Demidov, Kapanen, Hutson, and Dobes are waiver-exempt – and none of them are realistic candidates to be sent to Laval.

One player has to go. It appears universally accepted that Laine will be traded. It is speculated that the trade has been finalized and will be announced after the Olympic freeze is lifted.

Time will tell.

How Does Management Fit NHL-Ready Players into the Roster?

The list of players who could soon be ready for a permanent move to the NHL is a long one.  It includes Owen Beck, Florian Xhekaj, Adam Engström, David Reinbacher, Jacob Fowler, Michael Hage, and Alexander Zharovsky.

Reinbacher’s development has been hampered by injuries. If he is not traded, it is not unreasonable to expect him to stay in the AHL next season. The performances of Jakub Dobes and Samuel Montembeault will determine Fowler’s immediate future. Ideally, he would also spend another year honing his craft in the AHL. Zharovsky is likely stay in the KHL for at least one more season.

Michael Hage may be available to test his NHL readiness late in the season. Barring injuries, Montreal would need to make a roster move to accommodate him. The timing complicates matters: the Canadiens have a very narrow window between the end of the Olympics and the trade deadline, during which they play just three games.

The situation becomes even more challenging next season.  Would the Canadiens consider buying out the final year of Gallagher’s contract? Trading him does not seem to align with the culture the team is trying to foster. Could players like Veleno and or Struble be traded?

To Trade or Not to Trade

To trade or not to trade. Who to trade, who not to trade. These are the questions facing the Canadiens’ management. How they choose to answer them will be fascinating to watch, and it’s exactly why they’re paid the big bucks.

Next: Suzuki Is One of Team Canada’s Most Interesting Olympic Players