BREAKING NEWS: 3 super stars the Canadiens missed out on at the NHL trade deadline

The Montreal Canadiens have a well-defined strategy for rebuilding, which justified their decision not to engage in buying during the NHL trade deadline. However, given their status as a youthful team in the midst of reconstruction, they could have pursued a strategy of both buying and selling, engaging in trades with potential contenders as well as teams farther from contention.

Numerous young talents in the NHL were rumored to be available, having faced challenges within their current organizations. With an abundance of experienced veterans on their roster, the Canadiens had the opportunity to exchange these players in deals that could have brought in promising youngsters who might thrive better in Montreal’s system.

Among the players mentioned in trade rumors were Jake Allen (eventually traded to New Jersey) and David Savard. Additionally, veterans aged 30 or older, such as pending unrestricted free agents like Tanner Pearson and Joel Armia, or those with one more full season on their contracts, were considered potential trade assets for the Canadiens.

Montreal Canadiens could have sold more at the NHL trade deadline

“Prior to this, Montreal had also dealt Sean Monahan to the Winnipeg Jets, but aside from a couple of minor AHL transactions, Allen was the sole departure, traded for a conditional draft pick. However, what if the Canadiens had managed to move Savard, Armia, and Pearson elsewhere?

There were several potential players they could have acquired in exchange, and although these hypothetical trades wouldn’t have been considered ‘blockbusters,’ they could have benefited the Canadiens in the long term. None of the players mentioned below are of NHL All-Star caliber, but they could have been flipped to a contender or a team looking to rebuild without significant cost.”

Jonatan Berggren could have come to Montreal for a bargain

The Canadiens had the opportunity to strike a deal with the Detroit Red Wings for Jonatan Berggren, whose tenure with Detroit could have potentially concluded at the trade deadline. General manager Steve Yzerman has a track record of significant trades, such as acquiring multiple first-round picks in the previous deadline and making noteworthy offseason signings like Ville Husso in 2022 and Alex DeBrincat in 2023. Therefore, another substantial deadline move wouldn’t have been unexpected.

Nevertheless, Yzerman opted for a more passive approach at the deadline despite the loss of key forward Dylan Larkin. With Larkin sidelined due to injury, it appears Berggren will remain with the main roster for the foreseeable future. However, despite his opportunities in the NHL, the 23-year-old hasn’t demonstrated significant productivity. Additionally, the Canadiens had a seasoned forward in Joel Armia who could have been a trade asset.

While Yzerman should consider providing another opportunity for younger players like Berggren, exchanging him for a more experienced player like Armia, possibly involving other assets from both sides, would have been a logical move, especially with the team in contention. Berggren’s chances are diminishing, and although Armia isn’t known for scoring, he has been part of successful hockey teams that have made deep playoff runs.

Armia could bolster Detroit’s lower lines with his solid defensive skills, particularly helping on the penalty kill. Additionally, his respectable on-ice save percentage of 91.9 at 5-on-5 would contribute to the team’s defensive stability, which has been lacking throughout the season.

Philip Broberg would have been another promising blueliner in the system

Although the Canadiens hadn’t shown interest in Philip Broberg, he has been languishing in Edmonton’s system despite numerous opportunities to prove himself over the years. Broberg, aged 22, hasn’t managed to establish himself, making a switch to a different conference seem beneficial for his career.

In contrast to Armia, whose transfer would likely necessitate more than a straightforward player swap, acquiring Broberg could have been facilitated by the Canadiens with the inclusion of an experienced player like David Savard. Savard could have been an immediate asset for the Oilers, who, despite a recent shutout victory by goaltender Calvin Pickard against the Pittsburgh Penguins, could benefit from additional support.

The reality is that their primary goaltender, Stuart Skinner, hasn’t performed as well as his statistics might suggest, evident in his nine ‘really bad starts’ and inconsistency, swinging between exceptional and underwhelming performances. Currently on a hot streak, Skinner allowed two or fewer goals in each game from February 26th to March 9th. However, in the six games preceding that, he had an 0.858 save percentage, ranking among the league’s poorest goaltenders.

By trading Savard to Edmonton, the Canadiens could have acquired at least Broberg, providing Edmonton with a robust defenseman capable of blocking shots and clearing the defensive zone, while also securing a promising asset for themselves.

Adam Boqvist would have added more youth and experience to the Canadiens

Some teams seeking to make moves before the NHL trade deadline aren’t necessarily in contention for the championship; rather, they aim to dismantle or adjust certain aspects of their team that aren’t functioning effectively. The Columbus Blue Jackets may be on the verge of a significant overhaul, hence their interest in trading away some of their young players before the deadline, with Adam Boqvist being one of those players.

In line with the notion of teams “looking to buy,” it’s not uncommon for teams in Columbus’ position to absorb the remaining term of a player’s contract if they intend to offload one of their own. This scenario might have applied to Tanner Pearson, whose contract is set to expire after the current season.

When considering Boqvist, Columbus likely sought more than just a short-term addition, particularly since they would be surrendering a 23-year-old with considerable potential. Given their ample draft picks, General Manager Kent Hughes probably wouldn’t have hesitated to part with a couple of picks to secure a player of Boqvist’s caliber.

With one more season remaining on his contract, Boqvist would have had a full year to prove his worth and potentially earn a long-term extension with the team. If he didn’t meet expectations, the Canadiens could have let him walk after the 2024-25 season and explore other options.