{"id":22501,"date":"2018-01-30T16:10:19","date_gmt":"2018-01-30T21:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=22501"},"modified":"2018-01-30T16:12:05","modified_gmt":"2018-01-30T21:12:05","slug":"time-create-bidding-war-max-pacioretty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/01\/30\/time-create-bidding-war-max-pacioretty\/","title":{"rendered":"Time To Create a Bidding War For Max Pacioretty"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coming out of the NHL All-Star break, the NHL trade deadline is just under a month away. With the Montreal Canadiens<\/a> out of the playoff race, it’s time to look towards the future. Deciding who needs to be moved is now the priority. For the Canadiens, the asset that can bring the most return is their captain. It’s time to create a bidding war for Max Pacioretty<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Time To Create a Bidding War For Max Pacioretty<\/a><\/h1>\n

Max Pacioretty<\/a> is having a difficult season. He is on pace for 28 goals and 54 points, his lowest output since 2010-11. Fortunately, Pacioretty has caught fire, scoring\u00a0eight goals in his last nine games. There will always be a market for a consistent 30 goal scorer, with a very digestible $4.5M cap hit through 2018-19. Teams may have been hoping to get him on the cheap because\u00a0of his poor play but Pacioretty has found his game. Max finding his game will only help his trade value heading towards the deadline.<\/p>\n

The question becomes, how to create a bidding war and more importantly what teams should the Habs target. The holes in the Habs roster are obvious. The team needs help at centre ice and on defence. Hoping Pacioretty can land the Habs a true number one centre is unrealistic, but he should be able to bring in a significant return that can help the team down the road.<\/p>\n

Calling The Western Conference<\/h2>\n

The ideal location for Pacioretty is the Western Conference. While Habs general manager\u00a0Marc Bergevin<\/a> needs to take the best deal for the team, the Habs don’t necessarily want to see Pacioretty too often. There are also several teams in the West that are looking for that final piece to push them over the Stanley Cup hump.<\/p>\n

Contenders<\/h3>\n

Probably the best chance for the Habs to create a bidding war for the services of Max Pacioretty is to reach out to the Western Conference contenders. Contending teams are usually willing to give up a bit more to get a player they feel can push them over the top. Even if they part with a significant prospect in the process, if they win the cup it’s all worth it.<\/p>\n

St. Louis Blues<\/a><\/h3>\n

The Blues should be at the top of the list for the Habs. The Blues have been considered Cup contenders for the past few seasons, however, they have not been able to survive the West during the playoffs and make it to a cup final. Acquiring Pacioretty could help put them over the top. Having Vladimir Tarasenko<\/a><\/strong> on one line and a streaking Pacioretty on another line would give the Blues some serious scoring depth. The Blues also have the organizational depth that the Habs can look to raid if they create a bidding war.<\/p>\n

Forward Targets<\/h4>\n

Unfortunately, its unlikely that the Canadiens will be able to pry top prospects Vince Dunn<\/a><\/strong> or Ivan Barbashev<\/a><\/strong> from the Blues, there are more than enough prospects the Habs could target. World Junior gold medalists Robert Thomas<\/strong><\/a> and Jordan Kyrou<\/strong> should be high on their wish list. Kyrou has 26 goals and 80 points through 36 games with Sarnia in the OHL. He also added three goals and 10 points during the World Junior Hockey Championships with Team Canada. Thomas has 22 goals and 56 points through 35 games split between Hamilton and London of the OHL. He also added one goal and six points for Canada at the WJC this year. Both Thomas and Kyrou play centre.<\/p>\n

Defensive Targets<\/h4>\n

If the Habs are looking to improve their defence, they can look at Jake Walman<\/strong>. If this season made one thing clear is the Canadiens lack puck moving defencemen. Walman is a great skater playing with the Blues AHL affiliate. He is poised with the puck and makes excellent decisions with the puck. He also possesses a great breakout pass.<\/p>\n

Other players the Habs should target:<\/p>\n