Winning

  Every season the trades fly in this league.  They are celebrated, discussed or simply ignored and then quickly forgotten by most.  At the end of the year I like to look back at my trade history and see what made the Habs better and what made them worse.  I'm excited to say that most of my deals have worked out in our favor for today and tomorrow.  Let's explore them together.

 Leaving Montreal this season are Kreider, Eller, Daniel Sprong, Toews, Roslovic, Trocheck, Matheson, Horvat and Peeke.  A 3rd and 4th round pick left as well.

  Entering Montreal this season are Necas, Huberdeau, Evan Rodrigues, Will Borgen, Rakell, Perfetti, Pacioretty, Kent Jhonson, Maata, Zucarello and Kulich.  We also acquired prospects Vinzenz Rohrer, Zachary Dean and Emil Andrae as well as the following picks; 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th.

  The intended purpose of these deals was to build for the future and maximize the Habs 1st round pick.  Happily, the players had other plans.  With this new influx of youth and opportunity the team thrived.  Backed up by one of the best goalie tandems in the league in Markstrom/Montembeault, Montreal shot up the standings finishing only nine points out of the final wild card spot in the East.  Montreal will now draw 15th overall.  Happy and sad.  The consolation prize is the other pick we own in the 1st round landed 4th overall.

  So Montreal gets fresh young talent, decent prospects and great picks.  We picked up so many players in the deals that the roster is already set for next season.  No free agents required but lots of cap space should something interesting arise.  Look for the Canadiens to be competitive next season and beyond.  Thanks to everyone for another great season and good luck to everyone still fighting for the cup.