Habs Go Trade Route to Improve Team

Montreal Canadiens GM Todd Snider knew he needed to improve his hockey club in the off-season after missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
He had two ways he could try to do this. Option one go after Free Agents and probably over spend or option two was to make some trades and hopefully avoid over paying with assets.


GM Snider had a couple thing in mind when making his trades, he needed to acquire players who were either young and could grow with the young nucleus of the team and would not be a financial burden in 2 years time. He knew he must re-sign a number of his core guys like Nick Suzuki, Matthew Tkachuk, Lucas Raymond, Dan Vladar & Noah Hanafin in two off-seasons.


Canadiens top two lines consisted of Suzuki flanked by Mark Stone and Cole Caufield and the second line of JP Pageau centering Tkachuk and Raymond. GM Snider’s goal was to improve his third and fourth lines as well as upgrade his defence and find another goalie to split time with Vladar.


June 25th, Snider sends the 6th overall pick in the entry draft to New Jersey for young Goalie Nico Daws and the 21st overall pick. The Habs are rolling the dice the Daws can pair with Vladar and continue to progress and fill the big shoes of the departed Carey Price who was too expensive.


Ten days later Montreal ships out a couple of the former 4th liners in Riley Nash and Joel Teasdale to Columbus for 1.5 million dollars to help pay for those new prospects.


A day later Snider ships off 3 farm hands to Florida and acquires the very steady Dmitry Orlov to anchor the defence. Orlov is on a one-year deal, but should things work out the GM doesn’t rule out an extension for him.


July 14th in a deal with rival Toronto, they send a 3rd this year and 4th next year to upgrade their 4th line and get JT. Compher. Compher cap hit is 3.5 million but still fits within the Habs salary cap structure.


Shortly after that Montreal moves another veteran in Paul Byron for cash freeing up a pro roster spot.


Winger Valeri Nichushkin and Defenceman Brian Dumoulin are acquired from Winnipeg for Max Jones and Rafael Harvey- Pinard and swap of a couple draft picks.


A day later on July 30, Ottawa looks to move Defenceman Brandon Montour and offer a 4th round pick to take him. In return Snider sends back a 6th round.


With nine pro Defenceman heading into camp Snider completes a deal to take Winger Jacob Silverberg’s 5.25 million for Defenceman Marcus Pettersson. It cost the Habs and extra 1.25 million this year but saves 4 million next year as Pettersson was signed through the 2024-25 season.


Jake Evans is acquired early today for cash from Anaheim providing good depth for bottom 6th.


Morgan Frost is also promoted from within making the jump directly from prospects to the pro club.

G
M Snider signs only 1 free agent in the off-season. Zach Gallant on a minimum one-year contract to fill a hole in the farm club.


Overall, will the additions to the bottom 6 and defense be enough to propel Montreal into the playoffs? Is it risky going with two young goalies in between the pipes?


Montreal enters the season with a 72 million cap. If they can resist the urge to add to that cap number and with a good showing, they should be able to make the playoffs and make some money!



MONTREAL PROJECTED LINEUP

RW C -LW

Mark Stone- Nick Suzuki- Cole Caufield

Lucas Raymond- JP Pageau- Matthew Tkachuk

Valeri Nichushkin -Morgan Frost- Tyson Jost

Luke Kunin- JP Compher- Jacob Silfverberg

                   Jake Evans


Defense Pairings :

Dmitry Orlov & Noah Hanafin

Vince Dunn & Jordan Harris

Brian Dumoulin & Brandon Montour

Brett Kulak


Goalies:

Dan Vladar & Nico Daws