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Canadiens predicted to acquire Vincent Trocheck.
The Montreal Canadiens made the playoffs last season, and the team is expected to be active ahead of the NHL trade deadline.
The NHL trade deadline is set for March 6. Teams will have a short sprint to the deadline after returning from the Olympics. One team that will be sellers is the New York Rangers, who traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings.
Another name the Rangers could move is Vincent Trocheck, who’s representing Team USA at the Olympics. Trocheck will be highly sought after, and James Mirtle of The Athletic believes the Canadiens will acquire him.
“The Canadiens’ biggest hole all season has been down the middle. And it’s going to be a battle at the deadline for the limited options who can fill the 2C role on a contender,” Mirtle wrote. “Even at 32, Trocheck certainly fits that description. The fact that he comes with some term at a reasonable cap hit will help the Habs bridge the gap as their youth movement progresses.
“Trocheck isn’t the biggest player, but he’s crafty and can play in all situations. Including on a top power-play unit as a high-end playmaker. He would also be able to take some of the tough matchup load off Nick Suzuki and serve as a strong mentor for Ivan Demidov. Trocheck is American, has a limited no-trade clause and has never played in Canada. But Montreal is an exciting, rising team he could chase a Cup with, so this could be win-win.”
Trocheck has plenty of playoff experience and is a fan-favorite who would be beloved in Montreal. He’s in the fourth year of his $39.375 million deal, so he’d be a key part of the Habs roster for years to come.
Trocheck Likely to be Traded
The Rangers are set to be sellers ahead of the trade deadline, and Trocheck is likely to be dealt.
Trocheck will be a hot commodity ahead of the deadline, and NHL insider David Pagnotta lists Trocheck eighth on his trade bait board.
“Now that the Rangers are open for business, teams are curious about the future of Trocheck, who owns a 12-team no-trade list,” Pagnotta wrote. “Some clubs are starting to reach out about his availability, while others are planning to. He is an attractive centre option for contenders. And (he) has three more seasons left on his contract at a palatable cap hit.”
Trocheck is a second or third-line center who can shut down opposing teams’ top lines and also be a key penalty killer.
Although he’s solid defensively, Trocheck can add some offense. This season with the Rangers, he’s recorded 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points in 43 games.
Canadiens Looking to be Buyers
Montreal is holding onto a playoff spot, and the Canadiens are open to adding.
Canadiens’ president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton said the team will be aggressive ahead of the deadline if the right moves are there.
“We’d like to be aggressive, and we will be, if need be,” Gorton said.
However, Gorton did admit that any addition may have to come with someone on the roster also being moved.
“We like our team,” he said. “We’re excited with where we’re at. I don’t know exactly what’s next, but I’m excited to see what we can do. Even if I don’t think it necessarily means it’s coming prior to the deadline.”
The Canadiens are 32-17-8 and holding onto second place in the Atlantic Division.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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