The Montreal Canadiens are always looking to improve their team. They sit at the top of the Eastern Conference two weeks into the regular season. Leading the way offensively have been Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson. However, it’s been a rocky road to start the year with Patrik Laine. Because of this, right now might be the right time to move on from the veteran forward.
Heavy.com has proposed a trade that would see the Canadiens add young forward Jonatan Berggren from the Detroit Red Wings.
Canadiens Acquire:
- Jonatan Berggren ($1.825 million)
Red Wings Acquire:
- Patrik Laine ($8.7 million)
This would be a massive trade for both teams. The Canadiens add a “toolsy” player while getting out from under Laine’s cap hit. The Red Wings add a talented winger who can contribute to the team’s top six.
With this trade proposal, the Canadiens would add Berggren. The 5-foot-11, 195 lb forward was drafted 33rd overall in 2018. Last year, the young forward recorded 24 points in 75 games while averaging 12:59 per game. This season, he has zero points in two games, averaging just over 10 minutes per game.
In return, the Red Wings add Laine. The 6-foot-4, 208 lb forward was initially drafted second overall in 2016 by the Winnipeg Jets. He played with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Jets before being traded to Montreal. Last season, he scored 20 goals in an injury-shortened 52-game season. This year, he has one assist in five games while averaging 12:36 per game.
The Canadiens have $4,363,276 in salary cap space, while the Red Wings have $12,863,096 available.
Red Wings Looking to Move Jonatan Berggren
The play of rookies Emmitt Finnie and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is forcing the Red Wings to decide what to do with their forwards. In particular, Elliotte Friedman discussed Berggren being one of those players the team is looking to give a fresh start.
“Some of these guys are making such an impact that I think other guys like Berggren, too, could be available,” Friedman revealed on the latest episode of 32 Thoughts. “I think Yzerman has some players that he’s trying to move. Suddenly, he has too many of them, or a lot of the same.”
In addition to Berggren, he mentioned some defensemen that they are looking to move.
“Detroit has extra players now. They have Erik Gustafsson in the American Hockey League (AHL); he’s not an AHL player,” Friedman said. “They’ve also got Justin Holl, who they’ve been trying to move for a bit.”
Out of Erik Gustafsson, Justin Holl, and Berggren, the young forward makes the most sense for the Canadiens to pursue.
Canadiens Can Give Berggren What He Needs
GettyCan the Canadiens give a young and exciting forward the fresh start he needs?
The Canadiens have done well to identify talent and give those players a fresh start. According to Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan, Berggren has the tools; he just needs to put them all together.
Shortly after taking over the head coaching gig from his predecessor, McLellan spoke to the media about Berggren and his assessment of the player.
“He seems to be a sturdy, solid, good puck protector. I think he’s got some offensive instincts in mind,” McLellan said to the media, via The Hockey News. “Sometimes those players, they want to stay and play in the NHL, so they’re afraid to make mistakes, and they play a little more conservative. I’d like to see him just turn himself loose a little bit.”
“Make mistakes, we’ll help you, it’s okay. But bring your complete toolset to every game.”
Unlike some young players, his defensive game isn’t lacking in any significant way.
“He hasn’t hurt us defensively,” McLellan added. “Which is great, but I think there’s some (more) offense there.”
There is definitely offense there. In his last two full seasons in the AHL, he recorded 56 points in 53 games (2023-24) and 64 points in 70 games (2021-22).
This could be the kind of “fresh start” deal that benefits both teams.
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