The Montreal Canadiens likely aren't done trading veterans by the NHL trade deadline. But could they also pursue a young forward like Trevor Zegras?
Josh Anderson and Nick SuzukiThe NHL trade deadline is a month away, but the Montreal Canadiens already made a significant move. On Feb. 2, they shipped center Sean Monahan to the Winnipeg Jets for a 2024 first-round pick and a conditional 2027 third-rounder.
Mired near the bottom of the NHL's Eastern Conference standings, the rebuilding Canadiens are sellers once again at the trade deadline. Pending UFA winger Tanner Pearson could be moved before deadline day, while trade rumors have dogged goaltender Jake Allen throughout this season.
The Hockey News Montreal's Amy Johnson suggested Mike Matheson's offensive skills could fetch a decent return if GM Kent Hughes put the 29-year-old defenseman on the trade block. Johnson also mentioned David Savard as a trade candidate, but Hughes told reporters on Feb. 2 he's not shopping the 33-year-old defenseman.
Sportsnet's Eric Engels observed the Canadiens now have two first-round picks in this year's draft and two first-rounders for next season. He speculated that Hughes could use some of those picks as trade bait, noting that he moved first-rounders to bring in Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook.
Hughes has spoken recently of his club's need to improve their scoring depth. Perhaps he uses a couple of their first-rounders to bring in an established young scorer who can speed up the Canadiens' rebuilding process.
TVA Sports' Maxime Lapierre pointed out that some Canadiens fans would like to see Hughes pursue Trevor Zegras. The 22-year-old Anaheim Ducks center has been sidelined by injuries and plagued by inconsistency, netting seven points in 20 games after back-to-back 60-plus point performances over the last two seasons.
Zegras surfaced in the rumor mill last month after the Ducks traded defenseman Jamie Drysdale to the Philadelphia Flyers. There's no indication he's being shopped, but that hasn't stopped some Habs followers from suggesting Hughes look into acquiring him.
Lapierre acknowledged Zegras' offensive skills but wondered if he has what it takes to lead a team to the Stanley Cup. He'd prefer Hughes bring in someone comparable to Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand or former Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron.