NHL Trade Rumors: 5 players Canadiens should target

3. Thomas Vanek

At the 2014 trade deadline, the Montreal acquired the Austrian born winger from the New York Islanders for a second round pick and a prospect. The trade was absolutely one-sided in Montreal’s favor. However, Vanek’s acquisition was considered a failure.

In reality, Vanek’s time in Montreal is unfairly criticized. In 18 regular season games leading up to the playoffs, Vanek had six goals and 15 points. In the playoffs Vanek had 10 points in 17 games as the Canadiens advanced to the conference finals.

On the surface Vanek had good numbers, but not good enough for Canadiens fans. If you are wondering why, it’s because Vanek was awful in the conference finals when the Canadiens were eliminated by the New York Rangers. In Montreal’s first round sweep Vanek had three points. In the second round, Vanek was arguably Montreal’s best forward as they eliminated Boston in seven games. Vanek had four goals and an assist in the series. In the conference finals, Vanek was awful. In six games, Vanek had two assists but was a minus four. The Canadiens were eliminated and Vanek received much of the blame.

Montreal should not rule out trading for Vanek because of one bad playoff series. Had the Canadiens been eliminated in-game seven by Boston, Vanek would have been considered a great performer for the Canadiens. But his conference finals performance and everyone knowing that he was only going to sign in Minnesota has made him very unpopular.

Vanek is in the final year of his contract that pays him $2.6 million. After being bought out in the summer, Vanek has rebounded with 15 goals and 38 points in 47 games this season for Detroit. Montreal would be smart to take a second chance on Vanek. Trading former first round pick Nikita Scherbak and one of Montreal’s excess second round picks would likely get the trade done.