With the March 8th trade deadline fast approaching, the Montreal Canadiens are an interesting team to watch. The team isn’t in a position to be buyers at the deadline but they do have some interesting pieces who could be on the move. So which Canadiens players are likely trade candidates heading into the trade deadline?
Canadiens Trade Deadline Candidates
Jake Allen
Jake Allen is the most probable player to be moved at the deadline for the Canadiens. The Habs have been running a three-goalie rotation all season which isn’t ideal for anybody involved. Due to this, there has been speculation all season that Montreal would be moving a goalie. Sam Montembeault has emerged as the team’s starter and has earned himself a three-year extension. Cayden Primeau has also made significant strides in his limited starts this season. Allen, however, has been subpar this season, and at 33 years old, he isn’t part of the team’s future plans.
With many teams across the league in need of goaltending help, it’s frankly quite surprising that Allen is still a Canadien. Kent Hughes has stated that the three-goalie situation may be a season-long endeavour. However, holding onto Allen all season long doesn’t make much sense for Montreal. The team would only be limiting Primeau’s starts by doing this and they may as well capitalize on Allen’s value before he plays his way out of a trade. Teams like New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Edmonton could all use a reliable backup heading into the playoffs and Allen may be the solution.
Joel Armia
Joel Armia‘s season had a lacklustre start. The forward began the season with the Laval Rocket after a poor showing at camp. Armia proved himself in the AHL however, scoring nine points in eight games. He earned a return trip to Montreal and has been a decent depth option throughout the year. In 39 games since his promotion, Armia has scored twelve points, nine of those being goals.
Armia’s knock has always been his inconsistency and at a 3.4 million AAV that may scare a lot of teams away. The Canadiens do have an available retention spot though, and despite many having speculated this would be used in an Allen deal, using it on Armia may be more worthwhile.
David Savard
Of the trio of deadline candidates, David Savard is the most valuable in a trade. Right-shot defencemen are always a hot commodity and have typically fetched a haul in deadline trades. This includes a Savard deal to Tampa Bay in 2021 where he fetched the Blue Jackets a first-round pick. Savard’s value may not warrant giving up a first-rounder this season, but Hughes was able to get a first in a Ben Chiarot deal so never say never.
David Savard provides the team that acquires him with a solid defenceman who can round out their top four. Savard adds championship pedigree and leadership due to his cup run with Tampa in 2021. He also has some offensive upside with 12 points in only 33 games this year. Savard has one more year left beyond this season at a 3.5 million AAV. The team that acquires him won’t be acquiring a rental player which should add to the return for the Canadiens. With several young defencemen poised to make the leap to the NHL in the coming seasons, the timing seems right for Hughes to pull the trigger on a Savard trade.
The Canadiens already have 23 picks combined in the next two drafts and a cupboard full of prospects and young talent. However, players like Armia, Allen, and Savard don’t fit the team’s future and thus are likely trade deadline candidates for the Canadiens.
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
