Ranking the Players the Montreal Canadiens Should Covet at Trade Deadline

The Montreal Canadiens made their first pre-deadline move on Tuesday after trading Jiri Sekac for Devante Smith-Pelley, but general manager Marc Bergevin is still expected to be active at the deadline.

The Canadiens have had a solid season led by players such as Max Pacioretty, Carey Price and P.K. Subban, but the team may bulk up for the playoff push.

The Canadiens made it to the Eastern Conference Final last season, so there's a good chance they will do what it takes to guarantee a Stanley Cup Final appearance this season. With that in mind, here are the players Montreal should covet at the trade deadline.

No. 5: Jaromir Jagr, New Jersey Devils

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Age: 43

Cap Hit: $3.5 million

Why He Should Be Targeted: Jaromir Jagr has wanted to play in Montreal since 2012, but the interest has not been mutual to this point. If the Canadiens are interested in Jagr this go around, however, it is a move that makes a ton of sense.

Jagr is a skilled veteran scorer with amazing chemistry with pivot Tomas Plekanec, and can you imagine the duo playing with Alex Galchenyuk? It would be a pretty amazing line, but at the very least, Jagr could fill a role on the third line and on one of Montreal's power-play units.

No. 4: Jiri Tlusty, Carolina Hurricanes

Gregg Forwerck/Getty Images

Age: 26

Cap Hit: $2.95 million

Why He Should Be Targeted: Jiri Tlusty is a third-line forward who plays a game that would help the Montreal Canadiens. He is a sound two-way player—he can chip in decent offense and he kills penalties. If he were acquired, he would be an upgrade over Brandon Prust, who could then be moved to the fourth line. 

Prust is a good energy player and pugilist, but he doesn't exactly fit the profile of a two-way third-line winger. Tlusty has a lot more to offer the Canadiens, and he'd be an inexpensive deadline acquisition. 

No. 3: Sean Bergenheim, Florida Panthers

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

UPDATE: The Minnesota Wild have acquired Sean Bergenheim

---

Age: 31

Cap Hit: $2.75 million

Why He Should Be Targeted: Sean Bergenheim is an underrated forward who has requested a trade from the Florida Panthers, and he's someone who would be a great fit for Montreal.

Bergenheim is a fancy stats darling—check out his HERO chart here—and he can fill a two-way role. Throughout his career, he's averaged 30 points a season, and that is a rate that would be perfect for Montreal's third line.

No. 2: Daniel Winnik, Toronto Maple Leafs

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Age: 29

Cap Hit: $1.3 million

Why He Should Be Targeted: There's a chance that Lars Eller will be moving back to center, according to Montreal Canadiens' XM Radio correspondent Eric Engels, and that would open up a left wing spot to be filled.

There are a number of options the Canadiens could pursue, but Daniel Winnik would be a good fit. He's playing second-line minutes for the Toronto Maple Leafs, is a fancy stats darling and has 25 points this season.

While the Canadiens and Leafs are rivals who may not make many trades, the Leafs would probably love to unload a free agent who is going to leave for nothing this summer.

No. 1: Andrej Sekera, Carolina Hurricanes

Gregg Forwerck/Getty Images

Age: 28

Cap Hit: $2.75 million

Why He Should Be Targeted: Andrej Sekera is going to be the most popular defender at the deadline, and the Montreal Canadiens defense would improve dramatically if he were acquired.

The Canadiens' left side on defense isn't very strong, and Sekera could step into the spot currently occupied by Nathan Beaulieu. Sekera is currently logging top-pairing minutes—over 20:00 a game—and in a reduced role, he would be a true asset to Montreal. 

He is a decent two-way defender with decent advanced stats and could be a real steal for the Canadiens.

Rumors via NHL.com and The Fourth Period. Stats via Hockey-Reference.com, NHL.com and Own The Puck.