It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’ve started training camps around the league, but general managers have been behind the scenes doing plenty of work. Clubs are making additions and subtractions that will hopefully benefit their respective rosters. One team that’s made some moves is the Montreal Canadiens. This edition of NHL rumours looks at how the team may not be done making deals.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Montreal Canadiens May Make Forward Changes
Rumour: David Calabretta of The Fourth Period said the Habs may still be looking to make some moves surrounding their forward depth.
Analysis: Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes has made some moves in the off-season to speed up this rebuild. Montreal’s goal this season is to be playing meaningful hockey into March and April.
The Habs already got Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets via trade. However, they could seek more depth in their forward ranks. The team does have younger players like Alex Barre-Boulet, Emil Heineman, Joshua Roy and Oliver Kapanen each itching for a chance. These younger players could force their way into the lineup with strong play at training camp.
Montreal has a lot of young and talented players on both ends of the ice. This should allow the Canadiens to off-load some of their more veteran players. Hughes and President Jeff Gorton did this with a couple of their defenders and it may happen again.
On the Block
Forwards like like Christian Dvorak, Josh Anderson, and Joel Armia could be in play for teams at the right price. Dvorak and Armia are entering the final years of their respective deals. The former makes $4.5 million per season while the latter makes $3.4 million a year. Anderson makes $5.5 million per season, but his contract runs until the 2026-27 season. Moving him might be a bit harder.
All three have been in trade talks before as Montreal tries to make over its roster. Anderson and Armia are in their 30s while Dvorak in 28. Each player could be a veteran piece to a team that might need some depth. Trading one of the players could be part of a package that yields another forward.
Calabretta mentions that having someone like Anderson at the start of the team’s compete window could be a problem. Hughes probably wants to have some flexibility if he wants to make a move. However, that Anderson deal is problematic. Dealing Armia and Dvorak will be easier since they’ve only go one year left.
Stepping On the Gas
The Habs want to step on the gas and get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs sooner rather than later. There could be a package on the horizon that would see one or more these players going the other way.
Some may think acquiring Laine is a risk given his struggles the last couple of seasons. However, this deal could hit if the Finn reclaims his form. Could another roll of the dice be in the cards?
Hughes has already proven he’s willing to take a risk to improve one of the NHL’s standard-bearer franchises. However, he may not be done wheeling and dealing.
Main photo by: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
