Fansided

1 trade every NHL team should make

By Dave Stevenson

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are in pretty excellent shape, all things considered. Even though both David Desharnais and Alex Galchenyuk are injured, they sit in first place in the Atlantic Division. However, they need to address their center depth until he comes back. Even once he’s back, you can never have too much center depth since most centers can also play wing. Having center depth gives you options for faceoffs and makes the pivot role much easier to replace.

With the Shea Weber trade, the Canadiens have a two year window to win a Stanley Cup. If they can re-sign Carey Price, that changes everything. But Montreal needs to be aggressive and win a Stanley Cup soon. Martin Hanzal could help them do that.

Before the Canadiens get their two centers back, Hanzal could serve as their top center. Once DeSharnais and Galchenyuk are back, he can serve as their second line center. With Hanzal, they’d have incredible center depth. Arguably the best from top to bottom in the Eastern Conference and perhaps the entire NHL.

But why’s Justin Peters in this trade? Because of an expansion draft loophole. Montreal needs to expose a goalie who’s under contract in 2017-18. There’s just one problem. Backup goalie Al Montoya is a free agent after this season. In fact, Montreal would have to expose Carey Price or risk facing a significant penalty. They could simply extend Peters and expose him.

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