Should the Montreal Canadiens Trade Max Pacioretty?

The Montreal Canadiens are three points back of the Boston Bruins, who have three games in hand. Should they shake things up by trading Max Pacioretty?

As of Tuesday, Dec. 19, the Montreal Canadiens are 12th in the Eastern Conference, well outside the playoffs. They are seven points behind the Boston Bruins, who have two games in hand. And the Canadiens are behind every team in the Metropolitan division.

So is it time for the Habs to shake things up with a big trade? Or perhaps to rebuild entirely, starting with a big trade? Do the Montreal Canadiens want to make a big trade before the deadline. If the answer is yes, their biggest trade chip might be captain Max Pacioretty.

Why Pacioretty

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Pacioretty is the captain of the Canadiens and despite a slow start this season, one of the best goal scorers in the NHL. His 6.1 shooting percentage has played a major role in his decline in goal scoring. Considering Pacioretty is still generating shots at an impressive rate, he should see a major bounce back. So why would the Canadiens want to trade him, especially with his combination of leadership and goal scoring being rare in the NHL?

Pacioretty is a rarity in the NHL, one that will bring back a massive return from the right team. He only counts $4.5 million against the salary cap, which helps as well.

Many teams are going to be willing to trade for him. Since Pacioretty lacks any movement clause in his contract, he could be traded to the highest bidder. That could mean great things for the Montreal Canadiens, including a first-round pick and a great defensive prospect, which the Canadiens sorely need.

The Habs should consider a rebuild, especially if they get a new general manager after the season. Pacioretty turns 30 in 2018. A 30-year-old forward isn’t the best member of a rebuild, especially when it’s someone who isn’t going to stop shooting and scoring to let the Canadiens lose. Remember, that’s an underrated reason why the Toronto Maple Leafs traded Phil Kessel. If they don’t make that trade, they don’t get Auston Matthews.

All of this said, maybe the Canadiens should wait before trading Pacioretty. In business, you want to buy low and sell high. This applies to trading and acquiring players. Pacioretty has 18 points (including just eight goals) in his first 31 games. It’s safe to say that’s not selling high on him. In fact, it’s probably selling low.

Should The Montreal Canadiens Trade Him?

It really all depends. If the Canadiens are still out of a playoff position by the deadline, they should at least be willing to listen to offers. Let Pacioretty move on, and think about starting a rebuild. But with this team, with Carey Price, Brendan Gallagher, and Shea Weber, it’s still possible for the team to get back in the race.

And if that happens, why would you trade the captain, especially when he is going to bounce back? It would also give Pacioretty a chance to redeem himself in the playoffs, something he’s going to want a crack at.

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It really comes down to where the Montreal Canadiens are at the deadline. If they’ve continued to sink, maybe it’s time. And if not, then Pacioretty is valuable to them. Besides, with another year after this one, there’s always next year. When Pacioretty would be one of the more valuable rentals.