Should the Habs Get Goaltending Help Via Trade?

While the chances the Habs make the playoffs seem very good after just their first regulation loss in their last 8 games, the truth is the Eastern Conference is insanely tight, with the Canadiens having just a 5-point lead on the red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets for the final playoff spot. As a result, unlike last season, the Habs won’t be able to limp into the playoffs with 91 points and will likely need a more solid 97-98 points to do so. After making the playoffs last season, it is clear that they need to take a step forward, and with struggling goaltending that can possibly end up being tough down the final stretch of the regular season. That means getting in potentially as the #1 Wild Card spot (where they are currently) is likely the goal to show steps forward. For that to happen and them to stay put in the East, goaltending help could

Given that after the deadline, there is no roster limit, teams can have 3 goalies no problem before the playoffs as a way of having more reinforcements. This is one of the reasons that the Habs should look at acquiring a veteran goaltender that may be a pending UFA or on a cheap deal to give the Habs more options to have at least one goaltender that is performing well on a consistent basis.

The reality is the Habs can’t expect the offence to score 5 goals every game to win their games; they need to be able to have a goaltender that can close out 3-2 games, which hasn’t been happening for Dobes or Montembeault much this season. The best goaltender this season happened to be Jacob Fowler, but he is best suited to continue developing in the AHL with the Laval Rocket. This is where adding a 3rd goalie via trade to put pressure on both Dobes and Montembeault to perform would be a good idea.

The Habs have been linked to both Sergei Bobrovsky and Jordan Binnington by insiders around the NHL, stating that they are looking for a goaltender to help them for a playoff run. There is a lot of risk with Binnington given his struggles with the St. Louis Blues this year as a netminder who has struggled more than Montembeault thus far. Not to mention that his attitude is sometimes questionable. Sure he plays well in big games, but there is a risk that it doesn’t show up the way things have gone this year.

Then you have Bobrovsky, who would be a great pickup, but even at 50% retained may be hard to take on salary-wise from the Panthers. It also would be a purely rental. Nonetheless, the 2-time Stanley Cup Champion which would be a nice fit if they could make it happen. Unfortunately it’s not realistic that the Panthers will trade Bobrovsky within the division and also the Habs not having cap space for the move will hurt the chances of it happening.

Although, maybe they get a guy that isn’t expected to be moved, like Stuart Skinner, who may not be as coveted but could be had for a 2nd or 3rd as he hasn’t really flourished with the Penguins since they acquired him from the Edmonton Oilers for Tristan Jarry. He has a 2.62 GAA and .893 save percentage in 15 games with the Penguins since the trade, and there are reports that he could be on the move again. If the Habs were to ever get a rental at the deadline, it should clearly be for a goaltender. Skinner likely won’t be a saviour, but he can work in a 3-goalie system where the hot hand gets the start for the rest of the season.

The goal should remain that Fowler is the future of Habs goaltending, but adding someone else to help Dobes and Montembeault could help create more internal competition that will get the best out of all the netminders.

Do you think trading a mid-round pick for a goaltender that can challenge Montembeault and Dobes for playing time is something the Habs should consider?