Trade Candidates for the Montreal Canadiens

It is hard to argue that a dozen games into the Habs 2021 season are not playing great hockey. The team is averaging 4.00 goals per game – up from 2.98 last season (the seventh-worst in the National Hockey League last season). Their ability to score short-handed – with seven goals this season (five more than any other team) puts them on pace (over an 82-game season) to shatter the NHL record for shorthanded goals by a team in a season.

The goaltending situation in Montreal is an interesting one to follow. Carey Price has yet to find his form in 2021 – but backup Jake Allen is playing unbelievable hockey – leading the NHL with a .940 save percentage and producing a quality start in four of his five games this season. If Price cannot return to form – or at least play as well as he did last year – the team may need to make some trades if they want to be a favourite to win the Stanley Cup.

Here are a few players we think could help the Montreal Canadiens.

Ryan Ellis – Defence – Nashville Predators

A veteran blueliner with nearly 70 games of playoff experience could be the piece the Canadiens need if they are going to make a run against the other North Division teams in the playoffs this year.

Ellis is a smart defender and a decent contributor on the power play – with 13 of his 38 points last year coming with the man advantage. He is also good at limiting rebounds – one of the Canadiens weaknesses the previous two years.

While the Nashville Predators are slumping this season – it likely would still take a reasonably large hull to get the 29-year-old. However, it would reunite Ellis with Shea Weber – who both played with Nashville when they made the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017.

If this trade were to happen – Nashville may want some youth for Ellis = meaning Victor Mete could be involved.

 

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Dustin Brown – Right Wing – Los Angeles Kings

Some more depth on the power play could help the Habs – especially against the high-powered offences of the Leafs and Oilers – which is where a trade for Dustin Brown comes into play. The 36-year-old forward is putting up some of his best numbers ever on the power play this season with four power play goals in only 11 games.

Brown is under contract for another season – but would likely prefer to play it out on a playoff contender over the Kings – who have missed the playoffs for six straight years and sit in last place in the West Division this season. The cost for Brown – due to his age – likely is lower than some other players on this list too.

The Kings also need young talent and draft capital – as a full-scale rebuild is a necessity in Los Angeles.

Tyler Johnson – Centre – Tampa Bay Lightning

While the offensive talent on the Lightning’s roster has diminished Tyler Johnson’s role in the last two seasons, he can still score at a high level when given the opportunity. Johnson is only two years removed from scoring 29 goals at a shooting percentage of 17.8% – which is a higher percentage than any player finished with on the Habs last season.

Johnson is also a solid playmaker – topping 26 assists (including a career-high 43 in 2014-15) four times in his career.

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Johnson also has plenty of playoff experience. Johnson was one of the best players in the 2014-15 NHL Playoffs, leading all skaters with 13 goals, four game-winners, and 23 points. He followed that year up with 17 points in 17 playoff games in 2016.

It isn’t easy to gauge the Lightning’s willingness to trade Johnson. While Johnson – himself may want a more significant role on a team – he could also be happy playing for the defending Champs – who also happen to be the favourites to repeat in 2021. The Lightning are also facing cap issues next season, meaning they may have no choice but to move one or two players – with Johnson being one of the logical choices.

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