The
Montreal Canadiens are 7-3-0 in their last ten and are generally seeing strong
metrics, but the club is never beyond making small adjustments, and in today’s
case, a rare early season trade, as small as its significance is.
The Habs sent out long term farm hands Julius Nattinen, Hunter Shinkaruk, and
Mike Hoeffelto the Washington Capitals
in return for a trio of league minimum salary players. The move reportedly to
add increased flexibility at the bottom of the lineup.
A bigger story might be the rumblings that the first major lineup changes of
the season could be taking place soon, in an effort to spark the players that
have struggled in these early games. The club is seeing expected production out
of many core players, but despite goals in two straight games, Filip Chlapik,
as the current highest paid forward on the team, is well off pace with just 3
points in 13 games.
The recent two goals and continued good play from linemates McGinn and Thompson
is likely delaying any adjustments. However there is also Noel Acciari, the 21 year
old with an incredibly bright future ahead according to scouts, has still yet
to find his offensive game in the FNHL. Now on a one-way contract there’s no
more development to be done in Hamilton, and while his defensive play and lead
of the penalty kill has been great, the club is eagerly awaiting the scoring
breakout that should one day come.
They could possibly cut his ice time and give up on those hopes for now, or
otherwise fully shakeup the lineup and see what happens for a stretch of games.
Hard to make these choices when wins are going up on the board, and the team is
top 5 and 10 in all team stat metrics.
Montreal will be back in action tomorrow with a chance to leap up another spot
in the East while on the road in New Jersey.
7/3/2026 - 302 words
