The Montreal Canadiens are showing promise as the calendar gets ready to flip to 2025. Montreal is a team that has players that could draw interest from other clubs around the league because of the two pieces they have on defense, David Savard and Mike Matheson.
Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period joined TSN Radio in Montreal and discussed the likelihood of those two players moving and how that could open up a roster spot for one of the Canadiens’ young defensemen.
“I think a lot of it from that side of things certainly depends on the type of they end up making and where they want to give the NHL minutes, or, excuse me, who they want to give the NHL minutes to and in what situation. Like I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion, but it certainly seems very plausible and likely that David Savard will be moved out over the next two months. There’s certainly interest in Mike Matheson and depending what they end up doing there that’s obviously going to free up a roster spot.”
The Canadiens have a loaded backend with so many young prospects, which include Logan Mailloux, Jayden Struble, David Reinbacher (who is out injured), Kaiden Ghule, Arber Xhekaj, and Lane Hutson. With all currently on the roster, it opens the door to trades that would move more experienced players with trade value out.
Would the Canadiens Be Wise to Trade Their Veterans?
Because of the young core on the backend, does it make sense for this team to trade a veteran like this without getting something in return? With Alexandre Carrier acquired for Justin Barron, the Canadiens have shown a willingness to add useful players who can contribute immediately.
While they want to see what they have in their system, this team is ready to compete and play meaningful hockey consistently. A trade of Savard or Matheson is more palpable but counterintuitive to competing unless the organization believes the young guys can manage.
If a trade does happen, the question is which one of the young defensemen will get the majority of the ice time. Pagnotta asks if a kid like Jayden Struble gets more ice time, or is it someone else Martin St. Louis, Kent Hughes, and Jeff Gorton want to see?
So does that mean Struble gets in? Does that mean he gets a bulk of it, and maybe they call up another defenseman or two and give them some NHL minutes, whether it’s Logan Mailloux or whomever? So with Struble, I mean you certainly want to see what he can do on a consistent level at the NHL. So you’re going to have to kind of massage the lineup from time to time in order to get him more consistent minutes. But if you can’t, and, and, if you’re looking at this guy, and you don’t have the consistency in getting him in there, then you obviously you’ve got a bit of a decision to make as to how he’s going to be utilized later on the season.
Make a Trade or Let Prospects Develop?
The decision regarding who stays in or comes out of the Montreal Canadiens’ defensive lineup likely won’t be made until either David Savard or Mike Matheson is traded—if they are traded at all. Should a trade occur, it would open up a roster spot on the blue line, giving one of the younger defensemen a chance to step in and prove themselves.
For now, however, the Canadiens don’t need to rush this process. In fact, the best approach might be to let the prospects continue developing in the minors before bringing them up. It’s a strategy that has proven successful for other teams around the league.
All eyes will be on the Canadiens and what they do in that position moving forward.
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