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Can the Montreal Canadiens solve two problems with one trade?
The Montreal Canadiens have a busy September ahead of them. Just like the rest of the NHL, training camp for the Canadiens will kick off this month. The battle for second-line center will begin, and questions will start to get answered.
Heavy proposed a trade that would see the Canadiens nab Alexander Wennberg from the San Jose Sharks.
Canadiens Acquire:
Sharks Acquire:
This is a massive deal for multiple reasons. The Canadiens get their second-line center for the 2025-26 season, while the Sharks get a big-prized contract to stay above the salary cap floor.
Wennberg, 30, was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2013. The 14th overall pick has played for the Florida Panthers, Seattle Kraken, and New York Rangers before coming to the Sharks. A 6-foot-2, 190 lb center, Wennberg recorded 35 points in 77 games last year.
Carey Price, 38, has been a lifelong Canadiens’ goalie since being drafted fifth overall in 2005. He last played five games during the 2021-22 regular season.
The Sharks also receive a third-round pick in a deep 2026 entry draft. This will help offset the cost of taking on Price’s cap hit.
Bird #1: The Case For the Canadiens to Trade Carey Price
Earlier on Monday, September 1, Marco D’Amico published a report on the timing of Price’s contract being potentially moved by the Canadiens.
“I’ve heard Price’s contract being in play for a while,” D’Amico wrote about what a source told him. “Things should shake loose as of September 1st or soon after. I can’t see the Canadiens going into the season with that anchor on their salary cap.”
As for why they would trade Price, D’Amico reveals that the Canadiens value roster flexibility for this season.
“I’ve heard the Canadiens would move Price’s contract to help line up another trade,” D’Amico wrote. “It’s simply a question of when, and the market will dictate that. More teams will be willing to pack it in early this season than last year, because you have Gavin McKenna and a glut of elite defensive prospects at the top of this class.”
“If we get to the end of November, and some of these middle clubs start falling off, the feeling is that many of them will be more open to trading away proven players for futures.”
Bird #2: Canadiens Get a Second-Line Center
By acquiring Wennberg, the Canadiens can buy themselves time. They get ahead of the rush of activity that will happen once the calender approaches February.
Wennberg only has this year remaining on his $5 million per season contract. He’s an ideal middle six center. He’ll provide stability as a second-line center if Kirby Dach falters. Additionally, if Dach exceeds in his new role, Wennberg can be moved to the wing in the top six or fill in as the third-line center.
Amico wrote about the biggest stumbling block to a deal being made earlier this summer for the Canadiens.
“Price’s contract, along with a bone-dry trade market, is one of the major reasons the Canadiens couldn’t make another substantial trade for a top-6 piece,” Amico explained. “Not only did the Habs not want to sacrifice any roster players in their pursuit of a top-6 forward — preferably a centre — to boost their lineup, but adding any more notable salary would have forced them into offseason LTIR.”
As for Wennberg himself, he’s a useful player when put in the right situations. It’s been several years since he has been able to crack the 40-point threshold. However, the last time he did was his third season in the NHL.
During the 2016-17 season with the Blue Jackets, Wennberg collected 59 points in 80 games. He averaged 18:23 per game that year.
It might not be realistic to expect Wennberg to reach 60 points. However, there is no reason he couldn’t hit 40 points while playing with the young talent on the Canadiens roster.
Caleb Kerney Caleb covers the NHL for Heavy.com. He has covered professional hockey since 2022, including bylines at Dobber Prospects, The Hockey Writers, and The Hockey News. More about Caleb Kerney
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