Much of the trade chatter bubbling around the Montreal Canadiens has focused on the team’s search for a second-line center. One of the most-mentioned players was 35-year-old Nazem Kadri.
Yes, Kadri has numerous suitors in this conversation. But the prevailing talk is that the Calgary Flames do not want to relinquish Kadri. They would rather hold onto him. Meanwhile, he’s happy in Calgary.
But even if the Canadiens wanted to knock the pants off Craig Conroy in Calgary, frankly, the Canadiens don’t need Kadri.
An insider, Darren Dreger, points out that the Canadiens are looking to upgrade up front. But it won’t be for someone like Kadri. Dreger expounded on the reason. That reason is a top-ranking prospect. Dreger stated the following during a January 9 appearance on Barn Burner:
“They’d like to improve the middle of their ice, Nazem Kadri makes some sense to me, but here’s why it doesn’t to Kent Hughes; Michael Hage…they don’t want to block this kid; they want to make sure that he’s got opportunity.”
In short, the Canadiens are not taking the bait. There’s a real temptation to make a splash this season and go for it. However, the club understands that this team is a long-term project. That’s why it’s too soon to make a significant trade to bolster the lineup.
Trading draft picks and, most importantly, prospects to get veteran help is not conducive to sustained success. While the Canadiens may still look for forward help, it won’t come at the cost of blocking one of their top prospects’ path to the NHL.
Canadiens Bullish on Hage
The Canadiens are certainly bullish on Michael Hage. His showing at this year’s World Junior Championships shows that the team believes he can become a bona fide NHL center.
That sentiment rang true in a January 9 piece by Marco D’Amico from RG Media. In the piece, D’Amico quoted a nameless source close to the club, stating the following:
“Michael Hage also affords them a little bit more flexibility. He could play centre at the NHL level and that’s another weapon the Canadiens could use. If he works on his face-offs and continues to build up his body, there’s a chance the Canadiens can fill their centre issues internally.”
The plan, it seems, is to let the chips fall where they may this season. The plan is not to necessarily contend for the Stanley Cup. Instead, the route is to allow the club to develop, leaving the path for Hage to impact the NHL, potentially as soon as next season.
Habs Working from Position of Strength
Only a handful of teams in the league can fill needs from within. One such example for the Canadiens is Oliver Kapanen. The club believes so much in him that his play has canceled the search for a 2C.
Of course, Kapanen is still very much a work in progress. But he’s come far enough to the point where the club no longer feels the need to get a veteran. The Canadiens, moreover, made a massive move by reuniting with Phillip Danault. His presence has allowed the Habs to fill a major void without breaking the bank.
The Canadiens’ current situation points toward a less-than-astounding trade deadline. The Habs will likely add, but it won’t be via a mind-shocking trade.
Canadiens Won’t Trade for Kadri for 1 Reason, Insider States