Trade bait

Travis Moen - High value target (Photo Credit: Reuters)

With Hal Gill already traded for more than what most people expected just a week ago, it’s time to look at who else the Habs will most likely move before Monday’s trade deadline.

My focus is on the needs of playoff bound teams, those fighting to get there and which Montreal Canadiens might be on their shopping lists.

At this time of year, most teams are trying to patch areas of weakness to weather the storm that is playoff hockey so I won’t bother with teams looking to add depth as Nashville did with the Gill trade. As you’ll see, there's plenty of teams with far more problems than just a 16 ranked PK.

Travis Moen

After missing 5 games with an upper-body injury, Moen was wearing a “no contact” jersey for the game day skate on February 7th, only to play that night against Pittsburgh. Personally, I don’t buy his claim the Habs handed him any old jersey (unless that person has since been fired) but he only lasted one more game against the Islanders before it was clear he had re-injuring himself. That was February 9th and he may not play again until after the trade deadline.

Why the Canadiens front office didn’t keep Moen off the ice until he was healthy enough to be showcased closer to the deadline is something I’ll probably never understand but smart teams protect their assets better than that. Especially a player pro scouts across the league are already familiar with that carries a reputation for elevating his game in the playoffs.

With word being floated yesterday that the Habs aren’t offering Travis Moen, one seriously has to wonder if “aren’t” isn’t really “can’t”. We’ll know for certain next Monday but as the Canadiens top PK winger and second only to Tomas Plekanec in difficult 5v5 matchups, the value of Travis Moen is high. Very high.

I certainly wouldn’t be against re-signing Moen but given the high rate of return, especially with Tuomo Ruutu re-signing in Carolina, the Habs may get an offer they can’t refuse… if he’s healthy. The options going forward might be to assign Moen’s role to Rene Bourque, have a gentleman’s agreement with the Molsons to return as a UFA or seek a replacement.

These are the teams (All stats prior to last night's games) that should be looking hard at Travis Moen:

Toronto	29:PK	28:GA	17:5v5
Chicago	26:PK	23:GA	20:PP	10:5v5
Washington	23:PK	20:GA	16:5v5	15:PP	14:GG
San Jose	28:PK
Ottawa	26:GA	16:PK	11:PP
Florida	27:5v5	23:GG	22:PK	14:GA
Detroit	18:PK	14:PP
St. Louis	25:PP	21:GG	15:PK

Andrei Kostitsyn

Everyone’s favourite punching bag. The guy who the lazy and ignorant call inconsistent has actually been one of the more consistent PPG forwards the Habs have had in quite some time. All the while getting the short end of line assignments and a lack of cherry power play minutes.

Among the top nine forwards, only Cole and Moen play more physical but even with the media/fan abuse already shifting from Kostitsyn to Bourque as the next easy target to lump blame upon, I’d be shocked if Andrei didn’t want out of Salem.

Kostitsyn has proven he can play top 6 minutes against quality opponents and plays a style that suits an approximate 30% increase in hitting over the regular season. With the average NHL salary approximately $2.6 million this season, decent UFA wingers capable of 45 points are about to be worth $3.75+ million, given the annual escalation in salaries. And that’s what AK is, a 45 point player stuck having to deal with 60 point expectations, long after it was clear it was never going to happen.

Few teams can afford to pay that kind of money to players they stick on the 3 line without cutting corners elsewhere, which is exactly what the Habs did on defence this season, so all signs point to a trade for assets that can help the team now and long term.

These are the teams that should have interest in Andrei Kostitsyn:

Los Angeles	30:GG	23:PP	22:5v5
St. Louis	25:PP	21:GG	15:PK
Phoenix	30:PP	18:GG
Calgary	26:GG	24:5v5	17:PP	12: GA	10:PK
Winnipeg	22:GG	20:PK	19:5v5	18:GA	13:PP
Colorado	28:5v5	25:GG	19:GA	17:PK
Florida	27:5v5	23:GG	22:PK	14:GA
New Jersey	21:5v5	18:PP	15:GA	13:GG

Yannick Weber

The writing has been on the wall for Weber from day 1 of training camp. The Habs made it clear they preferred Raphael Diaz and there just isn’t room on the back end for the two of them. Both are right-handed, neither are physical nor a long term solution. Why? If not for Alexei Emelin, the Habs D would have the softest group in the Eastern conference… and it wouldn’t be close.

Because Diaz protects the puck more and is the better shot-blocker, Weber has played as a forward most of the year. The reason is why Weber has trade value. He’s cheap at 850k for another year, has a potent shot and has been effective on the power play, leading the Canadiens defence with 4 power play goals. Subban is next with… ONE.

If Weber was paired with a talented, physical D I suspect he’d do rather well, particularly in the Western conference:

Phoenix	30:PP	18:GG
Los Angeles	30:GG	23:PP	22: 5v5
NY Rangers	27:PP	12:GG
St. Louis	25:PP	21:GG	15:PK
Colorado	28:5v5	25:GG	19:GA	17:PK
Calgary	26:GG	24:5v5	17:PP	12: GA	10:PK
New Jersey	21:5v5	18:PP	15:GA	13:GG
Winnipeg	22:GG	20:PK	19:5v5	18:GA	13:PP

Mathieu Darche

I have to give the Canadiens credit for trying to build value in their 35 old winger who’s spent the bulk of the new year being modeled as a poor man’s Travis Moen. Up until the last few games, Darche was averaging 3+ minutes a night on the PK, often paired with Plekanec on the first unit. He even stayed there when Moen returned, which is either a sign of the Habs eagerness to showcase or an indication that Moen has actually been playing hurt for some time.

Whatever the reason, there’s none other than public relations to re-sign Darche who’ll be 36 next November and subject to a 35+ contract. Given his flexibility and willingness to go to the net, Darche would add depth as an affordable, finishing move near the deadline:

Toronto	29:PK	28:GA	17:5v5
Chicago	26:PK	23:GA	20:PP	10:5v5
Washington	23:PK	20:GA	16:5v5	15:PP	14:GG
San Jose	28:PK
Ottawa	26:GA	16:PK	11:PP
Florida	27:5v5	23:GG	22:PK	14:GA
Detroit	18:PK	14:PP
St. Louis	25:PP	21:GG	15:PK

Tomas Kaberle

For teams that are desperate to make the playoffs or need to reach the cap floor, there is value in Kaberle but the list of teams who’d want him is short. Most either have financial issues (Phoenix, St. Louis, New Jersey) or cap issues (Los Angeles, Calgary) so the opportunity to flip Kaberle would likely require an offer of cap relief (ie: Penner) in the form of an expiring contract, bundled with a pick or prospect coming to Montreal.

With Quincy gone, Colorado near the cap floor but only 2 points out of a playoff spot, Kaberle should have appeal. It’s certainly possible with the uncertainty surrounding Andrei Markov that Kaberle remains in Montreal as an insurance policy but he needs to be paired with a veteran who can cover for his mistakes. And by veteran, I mean not another marshmallow like Chris Campoli:

Phoenix	30:PP	18:GG
Los Angeles	30:GG	23:PP	22: 5v5
NY Rangers	27:PP	12:GG
St. Louis	25:PP	21:GG	15:PK
Colorado	28:5v5	25:GG	19:GA	17:PK
Calgary	26:GG	24:5v5	17:PP	12: GA	10:PK
New Jersey	21:5v5	18:PP	15:GA	13:GG
Winnipeg	22:GG	20:PK	19:5v5	18:GA	13:PP

Worth Mentioning

Scott Gomez has effectively killed any trade value he might have had to a cap floor team next year. Fortunately, I expect the new CBA will create a penalty free window of opportunity to buy out the last 2 years of his contract.

So, unless the new GM of the Montreal Canadiens takes a bad contract in exchange, the onus will be on Geoff Molson to decide if he wants to cut into their hefty profits in order to move on. Less frugal teams like the Rangers, Leafs or Flyers wouldn’t blink at the opportunity but this is a team that squirmed over 500k for 2 years to buy out George Laraque.

Simply put, Scott Gomez and his $7.357 million cap hit can’t be on the roster next year so one way or another, this will be his last year in Montreal.

Another player who won’t be back is Chris Campoli. If he can fetch any sort of return then great but at this point I expect him to walk away quietly this summer. Two other players worth mentioning are Aaron Palushaj and Andreas Engqvist. Both should require waivers next season so a decision on their future is fast approaching and so far, neither seem a fit for what the Habs need going forward.