Just like the Chicago Blackhawks, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves as one of the worst teams in the NHL this season. Sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic Division and second from the bottom of the Eastern Conference, it has been a tough season for the Habs. They currently have a 19-24-3 record with 41 points and lost their leading scorer Cole Caufield to season-ending shoulder surgery. The Habs are again set to be sellers at this year’s trade deadline.
Montreal has several veteran players they will be shopping leading up to the March 3rd trade deadline, with center Sean Monahan being one of the bigger names. Monahan has been hurt for most of the season, so a trade will depend on his health.
On the season, the 28-year-old center has appeared in 25 games scoring six goals and tallying 11 assists for 17 points. He has not appeared in a game since December 5th, though, as he’s been dealing with a lower-body injury.
If the Habs intend to move Monahan, it appears they won’t be getting the same value they initially hoped for. It was thought that the price tag to acquire Monahan would be a potential first-round pick, but after the price for Jonathan Toews was revealed, that will no longer be the case.
Toews is a three-time Stanley Cup winner, one of the best defensive centers in the league, and a great leader. These are all attributes a team is looking for when adding a player for a playoff run and all things Monahan does not have.
According to information provided by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Toews would only cost a second and third-round pick to the team that acquires him.
If Toews can be had for this price, why would a team give up a first-round pick for an oft-injured Monahan?
The Montreal Canadiens will have to rethink their price point for their injured center, who has already been out more than six weeks with a foot injury.
