NHL Trade Rumors: 5 players Montreal Canadiens must trade for

One of the Canadiens biggest issues is that they don’t have a clear number one center. Plekanec is a fine second line center, but right now, he has to be their first line center because he’s the best one that they have. The Predators have looked like an entirely different team since trading for Ryan Johansen. The Montreal Canadiens might have missed out on Johansen, but there’s still another potential center that could solve their issues: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

The Canadiens would likely want a defenseman in exchange for him. The Canadiens would likely need to persuade one of their defensemen to waive their no-trade clause. They might even need to trade Plekanec for it to happen along with a high draft pick. However, the Canadiens aren’t going to solve their center issues with the guys that they have right now. Franchise centers are rarely available in free agency. Why not trade for one? They’re worth whatever you pay for them because they’re that rare.

Can Hopkins be that guy for the Montreal Canadiens? If he’s healthy, yes he can. However, his health is a legitimate question at this point. The Habs are desperate enough that they should take their chances with him anyway. They likely wouldn’t have any issues finding another taker for him if he doesn’t work out.

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