John Tavares: Three Trade Destinations If Worst Happens

Montreal Canadiens

Why: They have everything he’d want
Why not: It’s a BIG market
What we would want: Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, 3rd Round
Verdict: Probably not

Tavares would get to play alongside Max Pacioretty, the fourth leading goalscorer over the last five years. Carey Price, the single greatest goaltender to every play the position in any universe across all multiverses.

And now they have Claude Julien behind the bench. Tavares hasn’t had a single complimentary elite level piece to play alongside, now he could play alongside three to four (if you count Weber).

Montréal, like Toronto, has a ton of cap space next season. A projected $21 million with only Alex Radulov being the only significant UFA they’d have to extend. Giving him and his 49 points a $6.5 million deal still leaves $14.5 million for Tavares and whatever minor deals.

The only issue is the market. Not only is Montréal one of the biggest markets in the NHL they’re also sticklers for language. As in French.

I know most of the players on the Habs roster can’t speak French, but that’s just another annoyance factor for Tavares to consider when deciding to waive his no-trade.

If he goes, coming back New York’s way would have to be Alex Galchenyuk. If the Isles are going to lose their number one center they need one back. And Galchenyuk is just that.

Now add Brendan Gallagher, a grinder with a great nose for goal and a 3rd round pick in 2018 and a deal could be made. The Isles

The Isles don’t win this trade, they never will considering who’s going the other way. But this sets them up going forward well enough. These are two young and highly talented forwards.

Galchenyuk has 133 points in his three seasons before this year (add another 42 for this season). Gallagher has 40+ points in his last three seasons.