What will Habs Do Between Now And The Trade Deadline?

A few things to look over:

• Tyler Toffoli to Calgary
• 1st round pick in 2022(lottery protected), 5th round pick in 2023, Tyler Pitlick, Emil Heineman to Montreal
• Ben Chiarot to Florida
• 1st round pick in 2023(unprotected), 4th round pick in 2022 and Tyler Smilanic
• Emil Heineman, 20 years of age, LW, 20 points in 38 games with Leksands in the SHL
• Speed, Skill, Quick Release, Competitor
• Tyler Smilanic, 20, C/LW, 22 points in 39 games with Quinnipiac University in the NCAA
• Good Skater, relentless on the puck, good shot

All these transactions have one thing in common: the Future. General Manager Kent Hughes has admitted over and over that his vision for this team is to play fast with pace and skill. In Smilanic and Heineman, they get two young forwards, progressing well in their respective development programs, that do exactly that. Now, what else can we expect from the Habs? Hughes pattern is buy low, sell high. Obviously, Montreal is in full sell mode, but don’t be surprised if they pull something unexpected, not a blockbuster type, but something that will catch the eye of most people around the NHL. Here are players that do have a chance of getting traded between now and tomorrow at 3pm.

• ARTTURI LEHKONEN: Going into the offseason a restricted free agent, Lehkonen’s value is at an all-time high, and at a 2.3 million cap hit, makes him very attractive to cup contending teams around the NHL. He’s a player that gives it his all every night on both ends of the ice, he’s very responsible defensively, especially on the penalty kill, and can chip in offensively. Under Martin St.Louis, he’s looked like the player habs fans expected him to be since he put up 18 goals in his rookie year. Now, he’s not a top 6 scorer by any means, but if need be, he can play up or down the lineup on both wings. Is it 100% that Montreal trades him? No, because he does fit with the way this team wants to play, but come offseason, he will get a raise, somewhere in the 3.5-4 million range. Is he worth that? In my opinion, no he’s not, which is why they should trade him now while the value is at its highest. If they do get an offer and decide to trade him, I’d expect a Blake Coleman type return: a 1st round pick and a prospect. Teams interested: Rangers, Capitals, Avalanche, Hurricanes
• BRETT KULAK: Over the years, we’ve been waiting for Kulak to show us his true potential, and he’s shown flashes of it. He’s been one of the better skating defensemen I’ve seen in the league, but just has not been able to put everything else together. Some nights you watch him and say “WOW”, and other nights “BLEH”. He moves the puck out of the zone decently, his defensive game is sound and has a cap hit of 1.75 million going into free agency this year. As a reliable depth defenceman, playoff teams can never have too many of them. Now, same as Lehkonen, not 100% he gets traded, but a lot of interest in him, so would not be a shock if he does get traded. I’d expect, with the way the defense market, either a 3rd round pick, or a 2nd at most. Teams interested: Oilers, Kings, Rangers
• MIKE HOFFMAN: Into the first year of a 3 year contract at 4.5 million per, Hoffman is a proven goal scorer, but that’s all he is. He’s a one trick pony. He’s not great defensively, he’s a pure shooter, so there is value there. Hughes says he wants to gain cap flexibility, and getting rid of Hoffman’s contract would be a nice step in that direction. I’d ask for a 2nd and a prospect.

Other notables, Jeff Petry, Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, Jonathan Drouin, Shea Weber’s contract

So far, not seeing a lot of traction with Montreal, but that can change with one phone call. It’s going to be a fun day tomorrow!