The Montreal Canadiens are in the midst of a rebuild, but one proposed trade would involve sending away a franchise cornerstone in a major deal.
According to PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, which allows users to suggest trades, one user floated a trade that would send Brendan Gallagher to the San Jose Sharks.
This deal would be significant as both teams would be parting with long-time franchise players, Vlasic and Gallagher.
Montreal would gain defenseman, a 37-year-old veteran who holds the record for the most games played by a defenseman for the Sharks. Vlasic is currently in the seventh year of an eight-year, $56 million contract. With young defensemen like Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, Lane Hutson, and David Reinbacher on the Canadiens roster, Vlasic could serve as a mentor.
Additionally, Vlasic, a Montreal native, would have the chance to finish his career with his hometown team.
In return, the Canadiens would trade away Gallagher, who has played his entire 12-year career in Montreal. Entering the fourth year of his six-year, $39 million deal, Gallagher’s gritty style would bring veteran leadership to the Sharks’ young forward group. Last season, Gallagher recorded 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists) in 77 games.
The Sharks would also acquire 21-year-old forward prospect Riley Kidney, a second-round pick from Montreal’s 2021 NHL draft. Kidney posted 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 points in the AHL last season.
Canadiens GM Believes Team is Better
Montreal wrapped up the 2023-24 NHL season with a 30-36-16 record, placing them at the bottom of the Atlantic Division and giving them the league’s fifth-worst record.
However, with their core players gaining experience and the acquisition of Patrik Laine through a trade, general manager Kent Hughes is optimistic about the team’s outlook for the 2024-25 season.
“I think we’ll improve naturally and be better than last year. Injuries have been a variable we’ve had to manage over the past few seasons, but if we stay healthy, I believe we’ll be a stronger team organically,” said Hughes.
He added, “If Kirby Dach can play a full 82-game season instead of missing time, we’ll be a better team. We also expect our young players to develop further, and the more time they have together, the more cohesive they’ll become. Stability helps build a team.”
The Canadiens have now missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.
Sharks Add Plenty of Forwards in Offseason
San Jose ended last season with the worst record in the NHL, earning the first overall draft pick, which they used to select Macklin Celebrini.
During the offseason, Sharks general manager Mike Grier bolstered the team’s forward lineup by acquiring Ty Dellandrea, Carl Grundstrom, Barclay Goodrow, Alex Wennberg, and Tyler Toffoli. Celebrini, along with fellow rookie Will Smith, is set to make his NHL debut this season.
Despite the abundance of forwards, Grier remains unfazed, focusing on the team’s rebuilding process. “I’m not concerned about the number of forwards. The NHL is about competition, and no one should be guaranteed a spot,” Grier said. “If you’re good enough, you’ll play; if you earn your place on the roster, you’ll play.”
The Sharks have missed the playoffs for five consecutive years.
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