Canadiens trade prospects deep into 2024 NHL season

The Montreal Canadiens are starting to see their core take shape. Former first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky was given a contract extension after a breakout performance in 2023-24. They missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2024. But Slafkovsky’s emergence alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield gives Montreal a solid foundation as they continue their rebuild.

Montreal has others waiting in the wings, too. David Reinbacher came to North America last season after being selected fifth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. In 2024, the Canadiens selected Ivan Demidov with the fifth overall pick. Demidov was considered one of the best players in the entire draft class.

That said, the rebuilding isn’t over yet. Montreal has finished the last three seasons in the Atlantic Division. And the Canadiens still aren’t in the league of the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators or Buffalo Sabres. At least on paper, they aren’t.

The Canadiens are still in the process of rebuilding, despite the progress that has been made. That could lead to them moving some of their veteran players at some point in the coming year. With that in mind, here are two Canadiens trade candidates to keep in mind for the 2024-25 season.

Joel Armia is a shrewd trade candidate

Joel Armia was once a top NHL prospect, even being part of the big Tyler Myers-Evander Kane trade between the Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets in 2015. However, the former first-round pick has fallen far short of expectations in this league.

That said, Armia had a very good 2023-24 season. The 31-year-old scored a career-high 17 goals with 25 points for the Canadiens. It’s his best offensive output since the 30-point season he had in 2019-20. He also finished with a whopping 9.7 goals above replacement and a 1.6 WAR, according to Evolving Hockey.

Armia had two rough seasons prior to this year. And a drop in offense certainly wouldn’t be a shock. But the Canadiens could sell a veteran winger who has shown he can score goals. With his contract expiring, Armia is one of the few obvious Canadiens trade candidates for the 2024-25 season.

David Savard may be made available

The Canadiens signed David Savard in 2021 to stabilize their blueline. And in that regard, Savard hasn’t been a complete failure in Montreal. He hasn’t had the best time with the Habs, statistically speaking.

That said, like Armia, he had a better 2023-24 season than in previous years, scoring six goals and 24 points in 60 games with Montreal. This is his best offensive season since 2015-16, when he scored 25 points with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Savard’s value lies entirely in the offense he brings to the table. According to Evolving Hockey, he had 6.7 offensive goals above replacement in 2023-24. However, his defensive goals above replacement was -6.1. He also had the most goals allowed per 60 minutes (3.12) of any Canadiens defenseman in 2023-24. His defense likely dragged down his WAR (0.1) from last season.

If Savard can continue to put up points, there will be teams willing to give him a chance. That said, he needs to keep putting up points for that to happen. The Canadiens likely won’t get much for him in a trade if he doesn’t put up points around the NHL Trade Deadline in 2024-25.