The Montreal Canadiens continue to seek upgrades in their forward group. The recent injuries of Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook have only accelerated the team’s search for depth across the board.
Signing Alexandre Texier was a decent start. However, the move is nowhere near what the Canadiens need to improve this season. The club sees itself as a serious playoff contender and wants to add pieces accordingly.
That situation had led to a wide range of speculation regarding potential deals. But one insider, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, believes the Canadiens should swing for the fences and get Pittsburgh Penguins legend Sidney Crosby.
Talk of Crosby and the Canadiens is nothing new. Over the summer, the Crosby-to-the-Canadiens rumors kicked into high gear. The Penguins were circling the drain and poised to hit a rebuild.
But that situation has changed after Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have willed the Penguins to a better-than-expected start. Despite the start, there might be a possibility that the Penguins push the button on the rebuild.
That situation prompted Johnston to write the following in his November 25 mailbag:
“The Sidney Crosby trade conjecture has quieted down, given how well the start of the season has gone for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but that’s the player I think Montreal should go all-in for if the Canadiens ever get a chance to land him. There’s absolutely no guarantee Crosby opens his mind to the possibility, but he’d be an ideal fit. The Habs also have the assets needed to make a trade work if the opportunity ever comes their way.”
Of course, there’s no guarantee that Crosby of the Penguins will consider a trade. But if, for some reason, Crosby contemplates a move, the Canadiens would be first in line.
Canadiens Have Pieces to Make Deal Work
As Johnston noted, the Montreal Canadiens have the pieces to make a deal work. The issue here is that the Penguins will want to get futures in exchange for Crosby. The price likely begins with multiple first-round picks. Perhaps two could get it done. The price tag may also include one or two additional later-round picks.
After that, the Penguins will likely want one of the Canadiens’ top prospects. Perhaps the Habs might be willing to part with someone like Oliver Kapanen. Perhaps Kaiden Guhle or even David Reinbacher could head the other way.
Habs Will Try to Avoid Overpaying
The temptation here is to overpay for someone like Crosby. Yes, he’s still playing at an elite level. But he’s 38 and under contract for one more season. So, would it make sense to send so many pieces for one year of a player pushing 40?
Crosby is no ordinary player pushing 40. But there is a point where the Canadiens have to think that paying up multiple draft picks and prospects may be too rich for their britches. Even if Crosby signed an extension in Montreal, there’s no assurance he can maintain his elite level.
That’s why adding Crosby may come down to a psychological effect in which the team sees Crosby as the final piece of the puzzle. The Habs belong to Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Crosby would just be the last push to get the club over the top.
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