Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are solidly at third place in the Atlantic Division. For the first time in a while they’re looking to make a playoff run, and maybe a deep one. The so-proud Canadiens are dying to get back to relevancy and even dominance — so proud they reportedly asked about the disgusting Slava Voynov.
T-Brat is much better. He’s younger and, you know, not disgusting. Plus just better.
Though Montreal isn’t struggling in the goal differential department, they do need some serious help on the power play — they’re at #30 in the NHL with just 13% conversion. They’re going to want to do a lot better than that for the playoffs, which is where Barrie can help.
What’s more, their defense is rather old. Captain Shea Weber is 33, and their next in command is Jeff Petry, who’s 31. They also have Dallas castoff Jordie Benn, also 31. What’s more, they have just two right-hand defensemen on the regular roster.
So, RHD and power play specialist Barrie would come in handy.
Montreal has quite a few extra picks in the upcoming draft — two second rounders, fourth rounders and fifth rounders. Plus, they have their own first rounder. If they weren’t willing to give up their first rounder, I’d want a second and and fourth.
Sure, we’d want Max Domi or Jonathan Drouin, but realistically we might expect winger Artturi Lehkonen (7 goals, 16 assists) or center Philip Danault (8 goals, 25 assists).
Montreal also has a great stable of young forward prospects. Nick Suzuki is the crown jewel — he has 54 points (23 goals, 31 assists) with his major juniors team. However, I wouldn’t turn down Jake Evans, who has 10 goals and 1 assists with the AHL Laval Rocket.
So, a realistic trade:
We’d have to hope Suzuki panned out.