Montreal Canadiens Should Watch Struggling Canucks – Hockey Writer – Montreal Canadiens

The trade market is starting to heat up, and the Montreal Canadiens could once again be one of the first teams to make a move. At about the same time last year, general manager Kent Hughes took advantage of the struggling Nashville Predators by acquiring Alexandre Carrier, a move that helped stabilize the blueline and add value without sacrificing the organization’s long-term vision.

This year, a similar situation occurred on the West Coast. With a disappointing 10-14-3 record, the Vancouver Canucks are reportedly open to just about anything. Like the Predators last season, Vancouver was underwhelming, frustrated, and entering the early listening stages of the trade cycle. With Montreal dealing with its own injury issues and inconsistent play, the idea of ​​the Habs striking out early again makes sense. The question is whether the two teams are truly matched as trade partners, and if so, what moves would make sense.

Canucks situation

Vancouver entered the season with internal expectations of being a playoff team, but their record suggests this team has yet to find its rhythm. They struggled offensively, struggled defensively, and simply didn’t show the consistency you’d expect from a team featuring Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and Brock Boeser. A continuation of a disappointing 2024-25 season.

The front desk showed an open attitude. There are reports that only one of the best defensive players in the league, Hughes, is firmly off the market. Everything else is at least up for debate. That alone puts them in a similar position to last year’s Predators, a team that was declining, looking to shake things up, and willing to bring back assets or new faces to reset the room.

This should sound familiar to Montrealers. The Habs are in a tough spot, missing key forwards and struggling to generate a consistent offense. Their own situation doesn’t require an all-out effort, but it does require strategic moves, like Carrier did last season.

Who should be targeted for habitat?

If the Canucks and Canucks were to explore a trade, the most logical targets would be players whose contracts are expiring. Unless a true blockbuster comes along, it’s unlikely Vancouver will move core pieces like Pettersson, Hughes or even Boeser. That narrowed the focus, and one name stood out: Kiefer Sherwood.

Sherwood was outstanding in the final year of his contract, scoring 12 goals and bringing a style that Montreal lacked: energy, physicality and relentless anticipation. He has always been considered a hard-working bottom-six forward, but this season, he has added legitimate finishing ability. With the Habs dealing with injuries to key players, Sherwood’s combination of grit and productivity will fill a critical need. He’s only worth $1.5 million and is salary-cap friendly, which is something Montreal will have to consider.

Long-term Vancouver players like Filip Hronek or Conor Garland should be avoided. Both are quality players, but their high tenure and high salaries and heading into their 30s don’t fit Montreal’s timeline or short-term cap structure. The idea here is to add support without affecting rebuilding.

What’s the price?

Sherwood’s net worth is rising rapidly. A physical forward with double-digit goals and a cheap salary cap hit is always going to attract demand near the deadline, and Vancouver knows it. Montreal has two second-round picks and a surplus of prospects, and they’re fully capable of making an offer if they choose to pursue him. One frame might look like Joshua Roy and a second-round pick for Sherwood.

Roy is a good prospect but could benefit from a change of scenery. His path into Montreal’s top nine is unclear, and he could be highly valued by Vancouver, which is looking for long-term upside and cheap entry-level talent. Montreal has the capital to make such a move without damaging its pipeline.

Proceed with caution

Sherwood checks a lot of boxes, but he also represents something the Habs need to be careful about: rent. His strong season gives him a chance for a raise, and Montreal is not yet in a winning window. Paying for future assets for a player who may be leaving in July isn’t ideal unless they believe they can re-sign him at a reasonable price.

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Canadians need help. They need scoring, size and physicality. They need stability in their lineup. Sherwood will bring that. But organizations also need to maintain discipline. The Carrier acquisition was successful because it was low-risk and had long-term upside. Sherwood was different and valuable, but only temporarily.

Such a move would only make sense if the price remains reasonable and the Habs believe Sherwood could be part of the mid-term plan. Otherwise, Montreal should explore cheaper options or in-house solutions.