MONSTER TRADE RUMOR: Defenseman to the Montreal Canadiens

As the NHL deadline approaches, more and more rumors get leaked about players being on the market. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman made a far fetched speculation involving the Carolina Hurricanes' defender Justin Faulk.

He mentioned that a trade between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Detroit Red Wings, involving Andreas Athanasiou would be plausible. If a guy like Athanasiou would be able to acquire a defender with Faulk's skill set, then the Habs could make a similar trade that could be more appealing for the Hurricanes.

Montreal has a player that has been watched for the past couple of seasons by many teams and could be more appealing to the 'Canes that are a young franchise as of late. That player being of course, Alex Galchenyuk, one who was almost sent to the Minnesota Wild during the off-season for Marco Scandella. Scandella was later traded to the Buffalo Sabres along with Jason Pominville and a 4th-rounder in 2018 for Tyler Ennis, Marcus Foligno and a 3rd-round pick in 2018.

Although Athanasiou has a skill set of his own, Galchenyuk is more established within the NHL and has played both as a winger and a centreman during his career within the Canadiens' organization. Both are youngsters within the NHL standards, but the most all-around complete player is Galchenyuk who holds an edge in most categories for a forward.

Even though the Hurricanes have a lot of centremen such as Jordan Staal, Elias Lindholm and Teuvo Teravainen, all the players listed can play as a winger. Adding Galchenyuk wouldn't be such a bad idea after all whether the Carolina organization sees him as a winger or a centreman.

Another possible trade that could happen if Faulk was sent to the Habs would be a defender-for-defender since the two top right defence spots are claimed by Shea Weber and Jeff Petry and Faulk is a right defenceman. Since it is highly unlikely that either Weber or Petry will get shoved down the lineup for Faulk. Since Petry is currently thriving as of late and is the younger and cheaper option, the Canadiens could make a trade involving Shea Weber. Even though Weber is a very good at guarding the blueline, Weber seems to be on the downside, Faulk is in his prime. However, the Canadiens could place in as a left defender opening a whole new direction of what could happen. 

Which trade is more likely to happen?

Athanasiou for Faulk
Galchenyuk for Faulk
Weber for Faulk
Petry for Faulk
Other