Blown Opportunity With Allen & Potential Zegras Trade
Also, a look at why the Habs made the right move turning down the Flyers' Cutter Gauthier trade offer and more.
Welcome to the THW Montreal Canadiens Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Canadiens writers.
In today’s edition, we look at why the Habs may have lost their chance to trade Jake Allen, why they should make a push to acquire Trevor Zegras, and more.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Trevor Zegras and the Canadiens Would be a Great Fit
January 10, 2024 by Blain Potvin
With the Philadelphia Flyers shocking the hockey world by moving on from their 2022 fifth-overall selection, Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks for Jamie Drysdale, there are now rumblings that the Ducks’ star center, Trevor Zegras, is now available on the trade market.
It is no secret that the Montreal Canadiens are in desperate need of some elite offensive skill at forward. General manager (GM) Kent Hughes could be on the market to fill that need and has been criticized for not pulling the trigger on a move at the 2023 Entry Draft table. This is a look at what he had available to him back then, why he chose not to fill the need, and how Zegras could fit with the Canadiens now if he were to be targeted to help advance Montreal’s rebuild.
Canadiens Were Justified to Turn Down Gauthier Trade at the Time
January 10, 2024 by Ryan Szporer
All anyone knows with real certainty regarding David Reinbacher at this stage is the Montreal Canadiens really wanted him. Taking him fifth overall at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, they opened themselves up to scrutiny by adding to their immense organizational defensive depth, while projected-to-be-elite offensive stars like Matvei Michkov and Zach Benson were still available and could have addressed their shortcomings there.
You can add Cutter Gauthier, the Philadelphia Flyers’ fifth overall pick from the previous year, to the list following his trade to the Anaheim Ducks. According to reports, the Flyers tried to trade the Canadiens the potential power forward for the pick with which they used to take Reinbacher, only for the Habs to say “no, thanks.”
Canadiens Goalie Prospects Won’t Be NHL-Ready When Needed
January 9, 2024 by Trege Wilson
The Montreal Canadiens have been around .500 for most of the season, and that is partly thanks to some outstanding play from the team’s goaltenders. Even with injuries to significant players like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, the Canadiens have managed to play winning hockey, inconsistent at times but relatively good. With two top-six players out of the lineup, strong goaltending is needed to win, and the Habs have succeeded with a three-goalie system.
Canadiens Blew Opportunity to Trade Jake Allen
January 9, 2024 by Rob Couch
There have been a number of teams in desperate need of a goaltender this season, and a veteran Allen could have been the perfect fit for them. Some of these teams have started to figure it out in net or have seen the play of Allen drop significantly and as a result are looking elsewhere for help. The Canadiens have blown their opportunity to trade Allen now, and I don’t believe they will be able to this season unless he drastically improves his play over the next month and a half leading up to the Mar. 8 Deadline (from “Canadiens weekly notebook: Jake Allen on rumours, Brendan Gallagher’s different paths,” The Athletic, Dec. 11, 2023).
