Categories
Dans les coulisses

Josh Anderson: should the Canadiens consider trading him?

Over the past few games, there’s been a lot of talk that the trio of Juraj Slafkovsky, Alex Newhook and Josh Anderson isn’t exactly the most productive of the bunch.

The fact that this trio never scores is shocking.

Alex Newhook, after a good start to the season, doesn’t seem to be able to take off for good. My colleague Maxime Truman talked about this earlier this week.

Juraj Slafkovsky? We often talk about him. We know the youngster needs to give more, but at the moment, he doesn’t seem to be in a position to take his game to the next level.

In fact, it’s not just that: he looks lost on the ice.

More and more, people are talking about sending him to Laval. And without mentioning Slaf directly, you get the feeling that this is also what André Tourigny would do if he had to decide the young forward’s fate.

In his opinion, a young player can’t get to the NHL too quickly if he’s not ready. He doesn’t believe the NHL is a development league, as he told the Montreal media yesterday.

I wonder what Martin St-Louis thinks of that statement.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

This brings us back to Josh Anderson, who spent several games with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, but also several games with Slaf and Newhook. As a veteran, it’s up to him to help the youngsters stand up.

Since the creation of the trio, the guys haven’t scored and at five against five, they don’t generate much.

Yesterday, Slaf and Anderson, who are both looking for their first goal of the season, didn’t get a shot on goal. They each have one assist in ten games and are looking for each other on the ice.

Which begs the question: does Josh Anderson still have a purpose in Montreal?

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

Slaf isn’t used to the NHL yet. But Anderson is. But his style of play simply doesn’t fit Martin St-Louis’ concepts. And that’s a problem.

So, is it worth moving to another team?

I’m not just saying that because of his start to the season, but also because for years, we’ve been hearing that he’s in demand in the NHL. There are places that wanted him.

Is that still the case?

Obviously, Kent Hughes wouldn’t trade him if his value wasn’t good, and right now, I can’t believe that teams would snap him up for $5.5 million a year until 2027.

I don’t think the club could sell high right now… but if he does regain his value, you have to wonder if his style of play wouldn’t fit better elsewhere than in Montreal.

The powerhorse has what it takes to excel in the playoffs, but the CH isn’t exactly a playoff regular right now. Even if they want to keep him, consider this: will he still be in his prime when the CH wants to win?

In short, it’s not a simple matter.

In gusto

– Tristan Luneau on loan in the AHL.

– Jason Spezza as GM in Ottawa?

– Really?

– Oops.

– Jason Demers in the NAHL: quite a story. [BPM Sports]

– Jack Hughes is on a 182-point pace.