Revisiting the Canadiens’ Josh Anderson Trade

Anderson was coming off an even more difficult season. After scoring 27 goals for Columbus in 2018-19, injuries limited him to only 26 games and four points the following year. Montreal was betting that Anderson could return to form and give the organization something it lacked, a big, fast, physical power forward capable of creating problems for opponents. Shortly after the trade, the Canadiens doubled down on that bet by signing Anderson to a seven-year, $38.5 million contract.

How the Trade Aged

Anderson’s time in Montreal has certainly featured ups and downs. He hasn’t developed into a consistent 30-goal scorer, and there have been stretches where his offensive production disappeared. Still, evaluating Anderson strictly by his regular-season point totals misses a significant part of what he has brought to Montreal.

His combination of size, speed and physicality gives the Canadiens a different element. True power forwards aren’t easy to find, and Anderson can change the momentum of a game with his forechecking and willingness to attack the net. More importantly, he has repeatedly shown an ability to elevate his game when the stakes increase.

Anderson played an important role during Montreal’s run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, including scoring the overtime winner in Game 4 of the Final to keep the Canadiens’ season alive. In the years since, he has continued to establish himself as the type of player whose style translates particularly well to playoff hockey. That has value for a Canadiens team that has gradually transitioned from rebuilding toward competing.

Meanwhile, Domi’s stay in Columbus was brief. He recorded 56 points in 107 games with the Blue Jackets, respectable production but nowhere near the level he reached during his best season in Montreal. Columbus eventually traded him to the Carolina Hurricanes at the 2022 trade deadline, and he left the Hurricanes in free agency a few months later. Since leaving Montreal, Domi has bounced around the league and has never replicated that 72-point 2018-19 campaign.

The third-round pick Montreal included in the trade became defenseman Samuel Knazko. While Knazko has spent time within the Blue Jackets organization, he hasn’t developed into a piece significant enough to dramatically change the evaluation of the deal.

A Win for the Canadiens

Trades don’t always need to produce superstars to be considered victories. The Canadiens identified a player who filled a specific organizational need, acquired him and have gotten several years of useful hockey out of him. Anderson has become a long-term member of Montreal’s forward group and, despite the inconsistencies, has provided an element that can be difficult to replace.

The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, didn’t receive a long-term cornerstone in return. Domi spent less than two seasons with the organization before being moved, while the draft pick hasn’t turned into an impact NHL player. Could Montreal have gotten more offensive production from Anderson over the years? Absolutely. His contract has also made the conversation surrounding him more complicated at times.

Montreal gave up a player it was ready to move on from and a third-round selection. In exchange, it received a power forward who has remained with the organization for years and has produced some memorable playoff moments along the way.

Almost six years later, the Josh Anderson trade might not rank as one of the biggest steals in Canadiens history, but it has clearly aged in Montreal’s favor. And considering how little long-term value Columbus ultimately received, it’s fair to call this one a win for the Canadiens.