Josh Gorges has long been a part of the core of the Montreal Canadiens. He has close relationships with Carey Price and Brendan Gallagher, is considered a leader, and a “glue guy”. So it’s a fairly big surprise that he is being mentioned as being on the trade block, until you consider that the Canadiens have Andrei Markov, Alexei Emelin, Nathan Beaulieu, and Jarred Tinordi on the left side, and want them all playing on the Habs next year.
Obviously, it would be far more ideal to trade Alexei Emelin, who is not nearly the player Josh Gorges is on the defensive side of the puck. Gorges also consistently plays the toughest competition on the Canadiens’ defense, however is carried for the most part by P.K. Subban.
Gorges has undeniable value at an attractive cap hit, but how many times have we witnessed a defensive defenseman decline precipitously once they hit their 30’s? Gorges will probably be good for a bit longer, but if the Canadiens could get something that makes them better, and sign a free agent defenseman, it may be a smart move.
The Canadiens are in a situation currently where Gorges’ trade value is likely higher than his intrinsic value to the team, but this is a tricky situation. On the bright side, moving Gorges would likely allow Andrei Markov to be paired with P.K. Subban, with an upgrade coming on the second pairing.
TOR still hoping MTL D Josh Gorges will waive modified NTC to allow trade to TOR. If so, it’s believed MTL would get roster player from TOR.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 30, 2014
Sending Gorges within the division, especially to a rival, is risky business. You would have to assume that Toronto is offering a whole heck of a lot for the Canadiens to even consider it. The Leafs don’t have many attractive roster players for the Habs, with players like Joffrey Lupul being injury prone and expensive, and a lot of others being either downright terrible (David Clarkson), or likely unmovable (James van Riemsdyk).
It is difficult to see a real fit for a trade between the two teams unless Toronto is willing to massively overpay for Gorges, but this is the Toronto Maple Leafs, so who knows?
Who would you want out of Toronto for Gorges?
UPDATE:
Josh Gorges : It’s out of my hands whether I’ll be back or not. But it’s my understanding it’s not going to be the case.
— Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) June 30, 2014
