The Montreal Canadiens have a lot of holes. They aren’t in a spot to trade futures for immediate help but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t consider trying to acquire players that will be good now and later.
The number one thing that needs to be addressed is the lack of mobility on the blueline. Jeff Petry has struggled mightily and is the only high-end puck mover they have on the roster. It might be tough to find an elite player transporter of the puck but there is an opportunity to buy low or get a player before they break out.
Montreal has tempted to get more offensive minded blueliners, but Sami Niku is an AHL caliber player and Chris Wideman seems more like a stopgap.
Who can make Montreal better both now and in the future?
Travis Dermott, 24, Toronto, $1.5-million
It feels like it’s been awhile since a trade between rivals Toronto and Montreal. The Maple Leafs are looking to move a defenseman. Dermott is a talented left-handed defenseman who can move the puck efficiently and play in the 15-minute per night range. He only has one point this season and is losing traction with Toronto.
Justin Holl could end up being the odd-man out in Toronto, however Dermott would be the better fit for Montreal. The emergence of former first round pick Timothy Liljegren has made one of the two expandable. Of course, it was Dermott’s gaffe in overtime of game six that led to Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s overtime winning goal.
Erik Brannstrom, 22, Ottawa, $863,333
People in Ottawa are wondering if Erik Brannstrom was becoming frustrated after starting in the AHL. When covid struck the Senators’ lineup, Brannstrom was called up and broke his hand which will sideline him for a while. He should still a prime target. The one thing holding him back is the fact that he’s undersized. At 5-foot-10, 181-pounds, he can be easily be knocked off the puck. The skilled Swedish born defenseman was the key part of the Mark Stone trade with the Vegas Golden Knights and is a former first round pick.
Brannstrom has great offensive instincts and hockey sense. His greatest attribute is his first pass and he can run a powerplay which is an area Montreal needs help with. Ottawa is likely willing to move him because they already have depth at that position with Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson.
Samuel Girard, 23, $5-million
It would be the perfect fit. And he’s available. There are a few factors for his availability. Girard underperformed in the playoffs last year, has high price tag on a cap crunching Colorado Avalanche team and Bowen Byram has emerged. Although Byram was recently injured and Girard’s game has turned the corner (he’s almost a point per game player), Colorado might want to look at moving a defenseman to bolster their offense.
A second line left winger would be ideal for the Avs right now and the Canadiens have a few options at that position. There’s also the added bonus of Girard being a Quebec born talent…Mark Chambers of The Denver Post has suggested that Girard could become a trade chip for a forward.
Whatever the case, GM Marc Bergevin has to explore shaking up this roster without sacrificing the future. He can’t just sit on his hands and wait.
Marc has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for Journal Metro, The Athletic, The … More about Marc Dumont