What if Vegas sent Cody Glass to the Montreal Canadiens instead of Nick Suzuki?
Parallel universes are a funny thing, where Cody Glass gets sent from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Montreal Canadiens instead of Nick Suzuki.
Parallel universes are a funny thing. Often used as a plot device for numerous Marvel movies, they explore different possibilities within a specific universe. Of course, many problems come with this concept, such as closed plots suddenly being reopened and the idea being spammed to death. It's no wonder Marvel movies haven't been good until Deadpool & Wolverine.
The Vegas Golden Knights certainly believe in such an idea, where the world of Cody Glass being traded to the Montreal Canadiens for Max Pacioretty exists. Instead of sending Nick Suzuki over, the team trades the former sixth-overall pick to the 24-time Stanley Cup winner, holding onto their other 2017 first-round draft pick. The Hockey News posted a recent article about Glass nearly going to Montreal instead of Suzuki.
Here's the story for fans at home. Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin needed to find a disgruntled Pacioretty a new home. He contacted Golden Knights general manager George McPhee about trading him to Vegas for a package that included Glass. Bergevin was high on the prospect and believed in his offensive potential.
However, McPhee didn't want to let him go, offering the former 13th-overall pick in the package instead. Thus, the Golden Knights acquired Pacioretty from the Canadiens for Suzuki, Tomas Tatar, and a 2019 second-round draft pick. After the fact, he signed a four-year, $28 million extension with the team, becoming an important piece. The trade was a success on the surface, with the former All-Star scoring 97 goals and 97 assists in four seasons with the team.
However, the former first-round pick has become a key piece of Montreal's future. He's scored 108 goals and 178 assists in five seasons, earning the distinction of being the team's captain. Therefore, let's have Dr. Strange open a portal and see what life would've been like with Cody Glass heading to Montreal.
What if Nick Suzuki stayed with the Vegas Golden Knights instead of Cody Glass
Let's look at life with Nick Suzuki sticking around with the Vegas Golden Knights instead of Glass first. Let's assume that the former 13th-overall pick puts up great numbers with the team as he has with the Montreal Canadiens. What would've happened if Suzuki stayed put and was left out of the Max Pacioretty trade?
First, there would've been two possibilities, starting with the Golden Knights having a cushion for the summer exodus of forwards this season. He would've softened the blow and moved up in the lineup, making matters easier for Kelly McCrimmon. The other is Suzuki involved in another big trade. Given Vegas's history with trading first-round picks, this would've fetched a bigger name to compliment Jack Eichel or lead the top line. Plus, he would've complimented Pacioretty well, creating a dynamic duo of situational hockey.
There's also Vegas not acquiring key centers such as Nicolas Roy. The team would've had another center to slot one of the lower lines, whether it's the second or fourth. McCrimmon would have his options open for the former first-round pick, giving him more power in lineup construction. He would've been rewarded with a bump in the lineup, similar to what Pavel Dorofeyev (13 goals in 47 games last season) will get.
What if Cody Glass went to the Montreal Canadiens for Max Pacioretty instead of Suzuki?
Now let's explore the parallel universe where Cody Glass is traded to the Montreal Canadiens instead of Nick Suzuki. Remember that nothing will change on the Max Pacioretty front, where declining play and a receding body will leave him traded to the Carolina Hurricanes with Dylan Coghlan. Therefore, it's not worth exploring this further.
What if Glass was a Canadien instead of his fellow 2017 first-round draft pick? For starters, Montreal would have a different captain. The most likely candidate would be Cole Caufield, another young star with promise. The Canadiens would also struggle further without Suzuki as one of the worst teams in the NHL. They were struggling to gain traction in the Atlantic Division and would have multiple lottery picks with Glass.
Also, McPhee would've cut his losses with the prospect sooner. Glass turned out to be a lower line player who couldn't piece everything together for the Golden Knights. If Bergevin got his wish, it would've blown up in his face, with fans calling for his head. As for Vegas, it would've been another successful trade, i.e. Jack Eichel and Chandler Stephenson.
Nobody's perfect, not even the Vegas Golden Knights
Reality can be a cruel mistress at times. While most of us would rather jump into a parallel universe portal and escape our current situation, we don't have that power (at least, not yet). Thus, Vegas Golden Knights fans must live with the reality that Nick Suzuki was traded to the Montreal Canadiens instead of Cody Glass.
That's part of the truth that is the following:
"There's no such thing as a perfect thing (unless it's Roberto's chicken tacos)."
If McPhee sent Glass to Montreal instead of Suzuki, it would've helped the team immensely.
Still, seeing Suzuki and Max Pacioretty play on the same team would've been fun. No trading for Nolan Patrick in a three-team deal. No panicking about losing five forwards during the 2024 free agency period. These things wouldn't have been magnified for the Golden Knights, giving fans hope for another Stanley Cup.
If McPhee sent Glass to Montreal instead of Suzuki, it would've helped the team immensely. However, it's not our reality and fans should still look forward to another hockey season. Besides, Cody Glass was eventually traded to the Nashville Predators in a three-team trade. So why cry over spilled milk and dwell in the past?
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