Georgiev an intriguing option for teams in need of long-term goaltending help

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The National Hockey League’s trade deadline is one of the most active parts of the calendar year for front offices, as buyers attempt to bolster their ranks heading into the playoffs and sellers secure assets for future roster-building efforts.

In many ways, the trade deadline forces buyers and sellers to work with one another to satisfy their respective goals.

Teams like the Arizona Coyotes (14-35-4) and Montreal Canadiens (13-33-7) couldn’t care less about the outcomes from this regular season, while teams like the Florida Panthers (35-13-5), Tampa Bay Lightning (34-11-6), Toronto Maple Leafs (34-14-4), Carolina Hurricanes (37-11-4), and Colorado Avalanche (39-10-4) are in an active arms race.

These playoff-bound teams all stand in the way of one another, and in most cases, the talent gap is razor-thin. This relationship lends itself to benefit the sell side in a seller’s market – after all, there are only so many quality players to be acquired via trade.

Every once in a while, we see buyers transact with other buyers, and sellers transact with other sellers. Ultimately, it comes down to market dynamics and opportunity.

A unique environment surrounds this year’s deadline. In light of post-COVID salary-cap pressures and general financial inflexibility around the league, there may be roster-building opportunities for seller teams.

This is where the Montreal Canadiens – a team entering a significant rebuild phase this season – have a window of opportunity. The roster will continue to be stripped as they position for salary cap relief and the acquisition of more future assets, with the team’s core being rounded out over the next couple of seasons.

Among the critical issues to address for general manager