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NHL Trade Rumors: 5 players Canadiens should target

By Adam Stocker

5 Dec 2003: Head coach Claude Julien of the Montreal Canadiens during the Canadiens 1-1 tie to the Carolina Hurricnaes at the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Bob Leverone/Sporting News via Getty Images)
5 Dec 2003: Head coach Claude Julien of the Montreal Canadiens during the Canadiens 1-1 tie to the Carolina Hurricnaes at the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Bob Leverone/Sporting News via Getty Images) /
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Feb 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) handles the puck during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) handles the puck during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Kevin Shattenkirk

The addition of Shattenkirk would give the Canadiens one of the best defensive units in the NHL. Shattenkirk is a great weapon on the power-play and would give Montreal another top three defenceman. In the playoffs you can never have enough defenceman.

Making a trade for Shattenkirk does not have to be a rental. The Canadiens can make a trade for Shattenkirk with an eye to the future. Shattenkirk is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. But so is 38-year Montreal defenceman Andrei Markov. At 38-years old, Markov could retire and free up $5.75 million in cap space that the Canadiens could use to extend Shattenkirk. It is a risk to make a trade hoping to resign a player, but it would make sense for Montreal to take the chance if they believe they are good enough to win the cup.

Trading for Shattenkirk is going to be expensive. Any trade will cost the Canadiens three high-profile assets. At least one if not two of Mikhail Seergachev, Noah Juulsen, Nikita Scherbak and Michael McCarron would have to go to St. Louis in a Shattenkirk trade. Additionally, Montreal may have to include a first or second round pick.

Shattenkirk’s $4.25 million cap hit could make a trade more complicated. Montreal would likely have to send a contract back to St. Louis in a trade or give up another asset to have the Blues retain some of his salary.

It’s a difficult decision for Bergevin to make. If he feels a trade for Shattenkirk puts Montreal over the top, and he feels he can resign him then the Canadiens should pull the trigger. As currently constructed the Canadiens are not good enough to win the Stanley Cup, they need to make amove.

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