3 players the Montreal Canadiens should trade after playoff exit

2. Tomas Tatar

The Montreal Canadiens don’t need to trade Tomas Tatar, who has one year left on his deal, but they need to be open to moving him if he doesn’t sign an extension. Tatar is the one veteran player on the Canadiens roster who could fetch Montreal a big return in a trade.

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Keeping him would obviously be a good thing. He is at worst a very capable top-six forward who can put up points at an above-average rate. Tatar has emerged as an impressive two-way forward and was arguably the Habs best forward during the regular season, as he led the team in points with 61.

However, the Canadiens can’t ignore some important facts. First of all, Tatar turns 30 in December. His best years are likely behind him. Age is rarely kind to forwards. Secondly, Tatar could prove to be expensive to extend. The Canadiens have to make a very difficult decision if they can’t sign him to an extension – do they trade him during the offseason or at the trade deadline?

If the Canadiens can’t sign Tatar, I’d be surprised if he’s still on the team after next season’s trade deadline. Montreal should set a very high price for Tatar if they can’t sign him and dare a team to match it. Someone might, given how talented he is. But if they don’t, they can revisit trading him at the trade deadline.