Ben Chiarot remains the most reliable defender of the Montreal Canadiens this season as Shea Weber and Joel Edmundson are not there, in addition to Jeff Petry's disastrous performance. Chiarot knows a very honest season, he who is on the last year of a pact earning him 3.5 million dollars on average per year.
Chiarot, who had a huge playoff last summer, posted eight points in 33 games, and then played an average of 23 minutes 29 per game. He should not be judged with his minus-14 differential since he plays in a team that has a minus-55 differential.
That said, in view of the approaching trade deadline, where does Chiarot's value stand? Is he really worth a first round pick, as many believe? According to Pierre LeBrun, he doesn't.
"If a team called the Habs tomorrow and offered Jeff Gorton a second-round pick for Chiarot, more than two months before the deadline, would he take that safe bet now or would he wait in hopes of getting the coveted first-round pick? Phew, I would be tempted to take the second round pick now.» - LeBrun
In the end, if Gorton and his future sidekick receive an offer soon, including a second round pick, should they risk waiting until the deadline?
