A prominent NHL analyst believes the Montreal Ca1nadiens are the best fit for the star player on the trade block.
The Montreal Canadiens require an influx of talent up front. They are in the midst of a rebuild and appear to have a lot of answers on the blue line, but they need to score.
The Canadiens do have some scoring, with a top line of Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki, and Cole Caufield dominating play over the last two months. But that’s it for now. They do not receive secondary scoring from anyone.
The return of Kirby Dach will help in that area for sure. But more is going to be needed up front for this team to take a step ahead and become a playoff contender yet again.
one player that is Apotentially on the trade market, and would definitely help fill that need, is Trevor Zegras. The 22 year old had a tough negotiation with the Anaheim Ducks last summer before eventually signing a “bridge deal.” His contract is a three year deal with a cap hit of $5.75 million.
TSN insider Craig Button was talking about Zegras being available on the open market and suggested the Montreal Canadiens are the best fit for the super skilled youngster.
Zegras struggled in the few games he played this season, losing time at the start due to contract disputes, then becoming hurt, and finishing with only seven points in 20 games. However, he has demonstrated in the previous two seasons that he is already a top six forward and a highly skillful one who might become a point per game player in the near future.
Zegras recorded 65 points in 81 games last season and 61 points in 75 the year before, with 23 goals in each season. He had roughly the same point totals as Nick Suzuki during the previous two seasons, despite the fact that Zegras is two years his junior.
It would be costly to get him, but the Ducks have already moved Jamie Drysdale, who had a lengthy contract negotiation in the summer, thus Zegras is available. He played on a line with Cole Caufield in the United States Development Program, and they worked well together in the NHL.
Zegra’s playmaking abilities and Caufield’s goal-scoring proficiency would intimidate goaltenders across the league for the next decade. The Canadiens have four first-round picks in the next two drafts and will need to be creative with one of them, as well as some prospects or other picks, to land Zegras.
