With the trade deadline approaching, there has been a lot of chatter about the Habs acquiring a defensemen, centre or goaltender. I look at this team and I really like what I see. The structure and buy-in is there from all the players and as it stands, the Canadiens have an abundance of NHL ready goalies, centres and defensemen. So the question is, should they make a trade?
Trade for a centre?
Lately there has been talk that Kent Hughes has looked into the availability of Ryan O'Reilly and Nazem Kadri. Now I love O'Reilly, and I suggested earlier in the season that he was the player the Habs should pick up. However ,first of all, he said that he does not want to leave Nashville. Secondly, the Habs already picked up Philipp Danault, so adding O'Reilly would further complicate the already numerous forward group. Roster players would need to be going the other way, and with the chemistry Martin St-Louis has established, I don't see how this is a god idea.
Moving on the Kadri, I find you essentially have the same issue in terms of needing to send roster players the other way. Furthermore, given his contract of 7 million per which runs until 2029 and age at 35, I don't think it fits into what Kent Hughes has built thus far. So, I would avoid making a deal here.
Trade for a goalie?
I'll keep this short, no. Dobes is playing well and Montembeault is playing better. The game vs the Islanders was not Monty's fault as they was not much he could do on those goals and overall he had a good game. Also, if they get in trouble they can call up Fowler. So no trade needed at all.
Trade for a defensemen?
Again, I'll keep this short. No. The Habs have seven legit NHL defensemen, an elite top four, and Engstrom in the AHL who in my opinion, should be playing 82 games in the NHL. There is no need to upset the chemistry they have on the back end.
So all in all, I really think the Habs should do nothing at the trade dealing , other than dealing Laine, which is unfortunately an innevitalbe thing as his agent has been given permission to speak with other teams. The Habs next game comes on Tuesday 10pm at San Jose.