Health

Canadian: still for sale

In eleven games under Martin St-Louis, the Canadiens now have seven wins. This same team had won eight games in 45 outings (8-30-7) as of February 9, the day Dominique Ducharme was fired.

• Read also: Price starts skating once more

• Read also: “Proud of the guys” –St-Louis

From a moribund team, the CH is experiencing a renaissance since the arrival of an interim head coach who had zero experience of the profession in the NHL. But St-Louis has added an important ingredient to this group, that of the return of pleasure.

At 32^e and last in the league when St-Louis took over from Ducharme, the team has now made a small jump in the standings, climbing to 31^e place, with only one point more than the Arizona Coyotes. The Habs also knock on the door of the Seattle Kraken two points behind.

Despite this renewed life, the CH has hardly changed in the standings. There will be no miracles. Participation in the playoffs remains impossible. In this context, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton will be looking for changes. The two hockey men will keep a sign for sale exactly two weeks away from the March 21 trade deadline.

Changes to expect

St-Louis also suspects that he won’t have the same team on hand in the next few days.

“It’s always important to have veterans, good point guards,” he said following the 5-2 win over the Oilers. There are different forms of leadership. It’s a big portion. I don’t know if we’ll get any younger. I don’t focus on that aspect. I coach the players who are there. »

At his last press conference, a few days following the Tyler Toffoli trade, Hughes warned that he would remain active in the market.

“We have not determined how many players will leave. If we receive five offers that we cannot refuse, we will make five transactions. But, for now, that’s not the plan [d’échanger cinq joueurs]. »

The newspaper offers you a list of CH players likely to change address.

Most coveted

Ben Chiarot (30 ans)

Contract : 3,5 M$
Expiration : Summer 2022 (unrestricted free agent)
Statistics : 16 pts (7 b, 9 p) in 51 matches / -19 / 23 min 25 s

There are several teams knocking on Hughes’ door to acquire Chiarot. The CH would be looking for a very good hope and a good choice in the repechage. Last year, Julien BriseBois and the Lightning paid a pick of 1^is turn to attract David Savard in a transaction involving three teams in order to amortize the salary of the Quebec defender.

In theory, Chiarot’s value will be even greater. He’s a dependable defenseman who can eat big minutes in a top four on the blue line. The Ontarian proved his worth during CH’s long run in the playoffs last year.

If the price is good

A. Lehkonen (26 years)

Contract : 2,3 M$
Expiration : Summer 2022 (free agent with compensation)
Statistics : 25 points (11 g, 14 p) in 53 games / +0 / 14 min 36 s

Lehkonen can play left and right wing, he’s as useful on a fourth line as he is on a second line and he’s good on the penalty kill. Martin St-Louis, Dominique Ducharme and Claude Julien have always said good words regarding him. He works hard.

According to various rumors, the Habs might receive a first-round pick for his services. Two years ago, the Lightning sacrificed a first-round pick for Barclay Goodrow, a versatile winger in Lehkonen’s mold.

Jeff Petry (34 years old)

Contract : 6,25 M$
Expiration : 2024-2025
Statistics : 13 points (4 b, 9 p) in 49 matches / -9 / 22 min 29 s

Under Ducharme, Petry was hardly a happy man. He regained his smile and his confidence with the arrival of Martin St-Louis. The 34-year-old defender even said he might imagine playing for a coach like St. Louis in the long term.

The CH will not part with Petry without receiving an interesting return. But his heavy contract may complicate the negotiations.

For depth

Brett Kulak (28 years old)

Contract : 1,85 M$
Expiration : Summer 2022 (unrestricted free agent)
Statistics : 12 points (2 b, 10 p) in 50 matches / -8 / 17 min 54 s

There are always two sides to a coin. This rule applies to Kulak. In confidence, he is a reliable defender. But his confidence often remains fragile, opening the door to slumps. Like many teammates, the Albertan has played with great confidence since the arrival of St-Louis.

“I can just play hockey,” Kulak said following the game in Edmonton. I no longer have to pay attention to a list in my head, like where I need to be and what I need to do at a specific time. I play freely. I just have to read and react. Currently, our system is that. »

Chris Wideman (32 ans)

Contract : 750 000 $
Expiration : Summer 2022 (unrestricted free agent)
Statistics : 13 points (2 b, 11 p) in 43 games / -18 / 14 min 48 s

Wideman is the most used defender this season at CH with an average playing time of 2 min 30 s on the power play. He hasn’t amassed astronomical numbers offensively, but he moves the puck quite well at the point. At the trade deadline, there are always teams that need a defenseman with offensive skills in case of injury during the playoffs.

Mathieu Perréault (34 years old)

Contract : 950 000 $
Expiration : Summer 2022 (unrestricted free agent)
Statistics : 4 points (3 b, 1 p) in 17 games / +1 / 12 min 03 s

Perreault has spent more time in the infirmary than on the ice this season. Despite the absences of Byron, Drouin and Dvorak, he is struggling to maintain his place among the team’s top 12 forwards. The 34-year-old Quebecer has 51 playoff games. If a team wants to take the risk with him, Hughes won’t go for the moon.

The marker (but with shortcomings)

M. Hoffman (32 ans)

Contract : 4,5 M$
Expiration : 2023-2024
Statistics : 22 points (11 b, 11 p) in 41 games / -15 / 17 min 16 s

Hoffman has a powerful shot, he remains dangerous on the power play, but he is not a master at five once morest five.

Since the arrival of St-Louis, number 68 has been playing with more confidence. The other two years on his contract are likely to slow down several DGs looking for a marker.

The enigmatic

Joel Armia (28 years old)

Contract : 3,4 M$
Expiration : 2024-2025
Statistics : 7 points (2 b, 5 p) in 40 games / -7 / 13 min 22 s

Dominique Ducharme described it as a mystery. St-Louis hasn’t had time to come up with that same definition for the big winger yet. In the playoffs last year, Armia had good times with 8 points (5 g, 3 p) in 21 games. He protects the puck very well and he takes up space in front of the opposing net. But he tends to fall asleep way too often. Marc Bergevin offered him a four-year contract. A GM will really need to be in love with his potential to concoct an offer to the Habs.

If we want to change the image

B. Gallagher (29 ans)

Contract : 6,5 M$
Expiration : 2026-2027
Statistics : 14 points (5 b, 9 p) in 38 matches / -8 / 15 min 13 s

Gallagher has always been described as the soul of this team. But at 29, the right winger has plenty of mileage in his body. Martin St-Louis has already offered an important clue regarding him by mentioning that Gallagher will be looking to end the year strong in order to start on a good footing for the following season. Technically, Hughes shouldn’t trade him. It is also very difficult to budge in the first year of a generous six-year pact.

Talent, but injuries

C. Dvorak (26 years)

Contract : 4,45 M$
Expiration : 2024-2025
Statistics : 16 points (7 g, 9 p) in 34 games / -17 / 17 min 42 s

There were high expectations for Dvorak. He was to fill the Habs’ second center chair behind Suzuki. He never got off the ground, spending too much time on the sidelines. Bergevin gave a choice of 1^is round (with protection for the top ten) and a choice of 2^e turn in 2024 to the Coyotes to get it out of the desert. Hughes and Gorton would never be able to secure a similar offer.

J. Drouin (26 years old)

Contract : 5,5 M$
Expiration : 2022-2023
Statistics : 20 points (6 g, 14 p) in 32 games / -9 / 17 min 17 s

Drouin has started skating once more, but he still hasn’t participated in a full practice. He is recovering from a wrist injury. Healthy and in good spirits, number 92 remains a talented winger. However, it represents a considerable investment at $5.5 million.