Update emerges regarding the Canadiens trade plans for Josh Anderson
The Canadiens still have an interest in trading Josh Anderson, but today's news is they don't want to give him away cheaply and want to receive a good return.
The trade deadline has never been more interesting with the Canadiens on the edge of the playoffs.
The club also carries a few free agents of their own to trade, Jake Evans, David Savard, and Joel Armia, who can bring back assets from playoff teams.
However, if the Habs happen to be around or within the top eight of the league in mid-February, it could be a tough decision to deal them.
When the expectation is to make the playoffs and the players hold up their end, losing some of them during the push can be absolutely demoralizing.
There were still offers on the table, however. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli had just put Josh Anderson and Jake Evans on his trade list.
Anderson's situation is different, though. He has two years left on his $5.5 million average annual value on his contract, a huge salary for what he's contributed to the team.
Anderson's offensive production hasn't been good this season
Offensively, his eight goals and 18 points in 56 games have meant nothing. His penalty-killing skills, speed, and size are still warranted, though.
The mystery? Replacing his salary. The Canadiens can't stuff salaries into their cap, since two of their three salary cap retaining positions are filled (Jake Allen, Jeff Petry).
Trading Anderson might be the smart move down the road, and secondarily, he's an old-fashioned type of player in the room and can be a positive for a team if they're struggling to get into the playoffs.
And Stu Cowan added to the Anderson trade rumor piece. Cowan says the Canadiens won't simply just give him up because he has been disappointing as a goal-scorer and will still try to get a high return on his services.
As of now, though, and heading toward the March 7 trade deadline, the Canadiens have decisions in front of them. And if Anderson continues to be in demand, like he is at the moment, it all just becomes more problematic.
MUST READ
Previously on HouseOfHockey
TRENDING NOW
