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In Hainsight: Hughes Got His Price |
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Hockey Hainsight
Nobody fell from their chair when the Monahan trade was announced this morning, it was a matter of hours really once Elias Lindholm was sent to Vancouver by the Flames. Hughes found a dancing partner in the Central division where the Avalanche, the Stars and the Jets are involved in a dogfight for first place. With Colorado being light down the middle with captain Gabriel Landeskog being sidelined and needing some top six help with Valeri Nichushkin having entered the player assistance program, the Jets might have feared losing out to the Avs and they pulled the trigger on the deal.
In the end, the Canadiens received the Jets’ first round pick in the upcoming draft and a conditional third round pick at the 2027 draft. The Habs will only receive the conditional pick if the Jets win Lord Stanley’s mug this Spring. It could happen, but let’s hope nobody’s holding their breath hoping. While some are finding the return disappointing after the Flames got five pieces back for Lindholm, it wouldn’t hurt to remember that Monahan has got quite a lengthy injury history and wears a bit of a buyer’s beware tag. Furthermore, two of the five pieces received by the Flames are unsigned prospects. Finally, trading Monahan without having to retain salary is a big win for Hughes, the Canadiens have only got one salary retention spot left and the general manager felt it would be better used in another deal.
Which deal? Time will tell. Hughes was asked if he was looking to trade veteran blue liner David Savard and he explained that he wasn’t actively trying to trade him, but that if an offer came, he would listen. It could also be used to move Jake Allen, after all, Hughes has had three goaltenders on roster for longer than anyone would have believed before the season started. Who knows, it might even be used to trade Josh Anderson. Although, he’s not had a great season so suitors could be few and far between.
Kent Hughes also explained that he could have entertained trading Monahan for a prospect, but it would have had to be a prospect who had the same value as a first-round pick. The team he spoke to about such a trade were unwilling to part with the prospect he was after, so the discussions didn’t go very far. Will Hughes strike again before the deadline? I wouldn’t be shocked…maybe not in a trade for a player, but perhaps as a third-party broker to facilitate a deal between a couple of other teams, what this space.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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