The Montreal Canadiens will be sellers again come Trade-Deadline day March 3, 2023. The Canadiens will be looking at improving their odds of landing the top pick in the 2023 NHL Entry draft by trading expiring contracts for draft picks.
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The Canadiens already have two first round picks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. They picked up a second first rounder last season when they dealt Ben Chiarot to Florida. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is quietly trying to land a third first rounder at this up-coming NHL Draft, as the 2023 draft pool is expected to be very good.
The Canadiens have three players on expiring contracts. Centre Sean Monahan, and forwards Jonathan Drouin, and Evgenii Dadonov. (Paul Byron is also on an expiring contract, but it does not look like he will return any time soon).
Sean Monahan is currently on Long-Term Injured Reserve but he has resumed skating and is on track to return to the roster prior to the trade deadline. The Canadiens haven’t been the same team this season since Monahan went down with an injury. But he’s a much sought after number 2 centre on any team. And with the Canadiens not in a win-now window, Monahan might land the Canadiens another first round pick. The 28 year old centre has 17 points in 25 games this season, but injuries have plagued him the last three seasons.
Jonathan Drouin, the player who never lived up to the expectations when he was acquired from Tampa Bay. Drouin has 12 points in 28 games this season. All assists! He’s still trying to score his first goal this season. Drouin too has spent time on Injured Reserve. And he’s not expected back until after the All-Star break. At most Drouin will attract and mid round draft pick, and the Canadiens will most certainly have to retain half his remaining salary this season.
Evgenii Dadonov , who when was acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights, most expected that he would have been dealt prior to the start of the season. But as we approach the trade deadline date, Dadonov is still a Montreal Canadien. Dadonov has never lived up to his $5 million salary. And it seems he’s not attracting any attention from any team. So at best Habs will receive future compensation if they manage to trade him, and retain salary.