This summer the team will need to add some pieces to fill in the holes created by the inevitable departures from free agency and trades that are expected to happen between now and the end of the season.  The Montreal Canadiens have already started to get younger and add to their cupboards in recent weeks by making many key trades.

The team is currently on the outside looking in on the playoffs, but by no means out of the race.  In fact, they currently sit a single point out of a playoff spot.  The entire Eastern Conference is bunched up, with the second place clubs being only six 10 points up on the Detroit Red Wings ... who currently sit in 11th place.

Trade Deadline Pressure?

The trade deadline is weeks away, so it’s unlikely that general manager Ron Jones feels any pressure to make drastic changes to the team ... yet. That being said, it is very likely that he will field offers for Jaden Schwartz and Tyson Barrie who are both pending UFA’s at season’s end. Schwartz has long been considered a critical player for the Hab’s offense with 37 points (18-19-37) and a plus minus of +15 in 39 games this season.  While Tyson Barrie is a +12 and has chipped in with 28 points (7-21-28).   

Why Trade Schwartz/Barrie?

The value in considering a Schwartz trade is clearly not because the Canadiens will be better off without him. But the direction that the team appears to be on is one of getting younger.  The same reasoning to trade Schwartz is valid for Barrie.  The team needs to acquire pieces for the future ... to the stock the shelves if you will.  Trying to re-sign either player gives them a lot less flexibility to re-sign McDavid et al.   

The second, related reason to consider a Schwartz trade before the deadline is more practical: team’s that have missed the playoffs for four years in a row can’t afford to lose key players for nothing.

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