Trades: Frank Seravalli ranks Sean Monahan as the second player to watch

Earlier in the evening, the Canucks made the first splash on the trade market by acquiring Nikita Zadorov.

In return, Calgary received two draft picks.

The big Russian defenseman, who was the fourth player to watch on the trade market (according to Frank Seravalli), is no longer likely to be traded.

Trade winds are beginning to blow across #NHL, exactly 100 days out from the March 8 trade deadline.#Canucks, #Isles, #Oilers, #LeafsForever all in mix – but are there enough trade partners?

First Trade Targets of the season with 20 names in play: https://t.co/p6fBFLIGVf pic.twitter.com/6dClNFljml

– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 30, 2023

Let’s talk about these rankings.

Yesterday, The Athletic published its list of the 25 candidates most likely to change address. In this ranking summarized by colleague Charles-Alexis Brisebois, three members of the Habs made the cut.

Among these three players, Sean Monahan was well represented, occupying 13th position. However, in Seravalli’s list, Mony is ranked second.

There is therefore a noticeable disparity in perception between the two rankings, particularly with regard to the status of the Canadiens’ center.

In Montreal, we know the former Flames man: he’s excellent. He may be running out of steam at the moment (he hasn’t scored since November 2), but he’s still a sure thing on both sides of the rink.

With 13 points in 22 games, 91 is on track for a 48-point season, which is excellent. But what makes him so valuable is his contract. He’s paid $1.985 million and his contract expires on July 1. So there’s no need for Kent Hughes to withhold salary, as he had to do last year.

In addition to Monahan, two of the team’s goalkeepers share the sixth spot. It belongs to Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau. Montembeault does not appear in this ranking.

It should be remembered that the Quebecer was ranked eighth among the players to watch according to The Athletic.