While the Montreal Canadiens were in the midst of their second eight-game losing streak of 2019-20, there was tons of speculation from fans and media that the team would start looking at big trades. The two names that seemed to come up the most were goaltender Carey Price and defenseman (and Montreal captain) Shea Weber. There were even a few analysts stating Toronto was looking to go after Weber given the injuries on the team's blueline right now. According to TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun, it's not happening and he says he has that word from the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens.
"You can stop speculating about that because Habs GM Marc Bergevin told me Tuesday he has no intention of thinking about trading Carey Price or Shea Weber and would not listen if a team phoned on Carey Price and Shea Weber before the trade deadline," said LeBrun on TSN's Insider Trading
"He's been on the record before as saying as this team gets younger, the leadership that Shea Weber and Carey Price provide is important to him. He believes it works and he wants those two guys to remain part of that."
The speculation, whether real or simply wishful thinking from some, seemed to make a bit of sense. With the Habs in danger of missing the playoffs for the third straight year, the only way to really go into full rebuild mode is to trade the team's best, older players for picks and prospects. Right now, those two players are Price and Weber, regardless of how Price may have been playing earlier this season. The move would also shed millions in salary cap space, allowing the team to hit the free agent market with a huge amount of money on hand. However, the cost of those two contracts is what also makes them difficult to move. At the end of this season, Price still has six more left on his contract at an average annual value of $10.5 million per year. The 32-year-old would be anything but a rental player for a team. He would be a long-term commitment. At 34-years-old, Weber is having an All-Star year. However, he also has another six years left on his contract after this current season at an AAV of $7.86 million. Again, not a rental player, a long-term commitment.
While it will take a small miracle, should Montreal make the post-season this year, not moving Price and Weber will look like a smart move. If the team misses once again, it may very well lead to Bergevin looking for another job.
Source: TSN's Insider Trading
