MONTREAL CALLS: A French Canadian Leadership
The Montreal Canadians collapsed this past season. Without a strong core to carry the team without a healthy Carey Price, the Canadians were dismal to end the season. The team needs character and some depth down the wings, especially trading away big-bodied winger Dale Weise as a rental to the Chicago Blackhawks.
And boy do they need scoring. Secondary scoring has been nonexistent for this team who have the cap to spend this summer.
Net Draft Transaction: (#39 OP + #124 OP) = 9.4
Once again, Janik Hansen will prove to be a sound secondary scoring option for the Habs. His speed and tenacity on the puck should allow him to thrive playing under the same system with guys like Brendan Gallaugher and Alex Galchenyuk.
As for Alex Burrows, he ticks the box to be the perfect Montreal Canadian. He can be the veteran leader in the room who is hard to play against on the ice. Ever since Brendan Prust was traded to the Canucks, Montreal lacked that player.
The Canucks could look at retaining some of Burrows’s payroll and fetching a bigger return.
As it stands, the trade looks pretty fair numbers-wise if we continue with the notion that Hansen outweighs Hudler’s rental value. And when looked at with the eye test, the test also looks good.
The Canucks, once again, would shed almost seven million dollars in salary cap without having the need to invest more on the blueline.
Next: The Wrap-Up