Former NHL Forward Suggests Blockbuster Deal Between Habs and Leafs

There will be some big trades tossed about in conversation as the playoffs roll along and offseason begins. None may be bigger than the deal proposed by former NHL enforcer and Montreal Canadiens’ forward John Scott.

To call Scott a former Canadiens’ forward is a bit of stretch considering he played only one game with the club in 2015-16. At the same time, he’s got a right to throw out trade ideas as much as anyone and in his brief stint with the Habs, it’s fair to assume he got a taste of what the Canadiens might be and have been coveting for some time — a true No. 1 NHL center.

Scott tweeted that he believes the Toronto Maple Leafs should trade captain John Tavares for Montreal Canadiens captain Shea Weber and forward Brendan Gallagher. 

The @MapleLeafs need to switch things up… what do you think of this:

To MTL: John Tavares
To TOR: Shea Weber, Brendan Gallagher

Thoughts?

— John Scott (@johnscott_32) August 10, 2020

That’s a blockbuster and outside of a few noticeable issues, not the worst trade suggestion in the world.

Ignoring the fact (and we really can’t) that Tavares would have to approve such a trade because he has a full no-movement clause in his contract, this is a huge deal. Remember, when Tavares signed with Toronto, the one team he didn’t speak with that requested an interview was Montreal. That’s not a good sign.

Obviously, Weber is an upgrade over almost every defenseman on the Leaf’s blue line, — with the exception of maybe Morgan Reilly — and Gallagher is a heck of a hockey player. That said, trades like this in the NHL are rare.

What Both Teams Would Be Getting And Giving Up

Tavares is a fantastic player and the Leafs might have to move one of their big four. This isn’t even the worst trade suggestion in terms of proposed value as it’s almost dollar in for dollar out. But, one could argue that Gallagher is the heart and soul of the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs won’t want to take on even bigger (in this case, longer) contracts than they already have on the books.

Salary wise, the Leafs would be moving out $11 million in cap space, but they’d also be taking on $3.75 million in Gallagher (good deal) and $7.875 million in Weber for the next six seasons. Close in money, but term and Webers’ age could be an issue.

Gallagher is a 30-goal scorer who could play on the Leafs’ top line and the Habs would finally get that No. 1 center they’ve always wanted.

Would you make this trade? It sounds ridiculous, but is it?

Next: Spezza Says He Still Has “The Fire”, Wants to Return to Leafs