5 NHL teams that should make an offer for Jack Eichel

Potential Jack Eichel suitor: Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens edged into the playoffs this year, as the 12th seed in the East (71 points). They had missed the postseason in three of the previous four seasons, with a first round exit in their lone appearance. A first-round exit seems assured this year, with a matchup coming against the Pittsburgh Penguins. But stranger things have happened.

In any case, Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin be active during the offseason. Owner Geoff Molson recently gave Bergevin a vote of confidence, amid speculation Vincent Damphousse would eventually be hired as president of hockey operations. But we saw what a vote of confidence got Botteril in Buffalo, so things can and do change quickly.

Montreal seems to have a bit of a logjam at center. Phillip Danault, Max Domi, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nick Suzuki are all in the mix, but none are stars and there’s an argument Domi should not be playing in the middle. Domi and Kotkaniemi, the third overall pick in the 2018 draft, stand out as possible trade assets. Montreal also has 14 picks in this year’s draft (three in the second round).

If Bergevin wants to shake things up a little, a spin with CapFriendly’s Trade Machine shows a pretty simple deal.

Winger Jonathan Drouin and Kotkaniemi would also work in a deal for Eichel. The Habs can get it done, easier than most teams, and Bergevin will have to consider what’s out there for job-securing big moves this offseason.