Jake Evans #71 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates with David Savard #58, Michael Pezzetta #55, and Lane Hutson #48 (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves in an interesting position. While they are certainly listening to offers on several veteran players, they are also actively looking to add young talent to their core.
This approach makes them a classic example of hybrid sellers—teams that move assets for future growth but also look to improve their roster in the short term.
“We’ve heard them having very different conversations,” said one source close to the subject. “On one end, they’re listening on their pending free agents and some roster players, but on the other end, they want to go out and improve their roster for the future, not just acquire futures.”
The Calgary Flames had a similar mentality and went out to grab both Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost from the Philadelphia Flyers. It seems like the Canadiens, who are sliding down the NHL standings again, would like to follow up the same process.
The two biggest differences between the Flames and the Canadiens though, is that the Canadiens have way more draft capital to work with and, more importantly, rental assets that have caught the eye of NHL GMs across the league.
Jake Evans: Will They, Won’t They?
Multiple NHL sources have confirmed to RG that the Canadiens have been receiving inquiries about several of their veteran players, including Jake Evans, Joel Armia, David Savard, and even Mike Matheson. Each of these players brings something different to the table, making them appealing options for contending teams looking to shore up their depth for a playoff push.
Evans is perhaps the Canadiens’ most valuable trade chip due to his career year, both offensively and defensively. As reliable two-way, right-shot center with strong defensive instincts, Evans has drawn interest from teams seeking a solid bottom-six forward who can contribute on the penalty kill and win key face-offs.
The Canadiens have however expressed that they would like to retain him, with both parties looking to make a deal happen; but the parties aren't close on AAV or term.
However, a source indicates that the Canadiens have played this game before.
“The Canadiens know what they’re doing in leaking that they want to re-sign Jake Evans," said a source out of the Eastern Conference.
“They did it with Lehkonen, Monahan and others. Creating this sense of possible availability is a surefire way to create urgency, especially as players start being taken off the board.”
And players have already started coming off the board, with the first center rental already moved earlier last week hen the Dallas Stars acquired Mikael Granlund from the San Jose Sharks.
It’s still not a given that the Canadiens will move Evans, but the longer this goes and the more calls they take, the more likely they will be to make a move.
One thing is for sure, the Canadiens will either sign or trade Evans by deadline.
“There’s no way this goes beyond the NHL Trade Deadline,” said the source. “The Canadiens will lose their leverage if they don’t have a resolution with Evans’ camp before March 7.”
Joel Armia Getting Attention
While his contract might be a hurdle, Joel Armia’s combination of size, defensive responsibility, and occasional offensive bursts make him an intriguing depth option for teams looking for a playoff performer.
He’s come a long way from being waived and sent to the AHL at the start of the 2023-24 season, and now the veteran forward has a lot of eyes on him. At 3.4M, the pending free agent could be easier to absorb if the Canadiens are willing to take on salary or utilize their final retention slot on him.
That being said, sources on the subject say that his name is really starting to buzz around the league, given his prowess with Evans on the penalty kill.
“His value across the league is much higher than some may believe,” said a source out of the Western Conference.
“That type of gritty, two-way forward is hard come by and, if you can snag him as a sneaky add before the start of the playoffs, your bottom-six just becomes that much more dangerous.”
Couple of Veteran Defensemen
David Savard is another name teams have called on. A veteran right-shot defenseman with Stanley Cup-winning experience, Savard is exactly the type of player playoff-bound teams covet to solidify their blueline. His leadership and shot-blocking abilities make him a valuable trade asset.
Although his on-ice play has dipped a little bit, his overall package as a player and the fact that he’s a right-shot defenseman, will still make him a coveted piece. The Stars’ trade with the Sharks not only helped Evans’ value, but possibly even Savard’s, as Cody Ceci, one of the other few right-shot, veteran defenders on the market, was plucked off the trade market too.
Savard’s age, as well as youngsters like Logan Mailloux and, eventually, David Reinbacher pushing for a roster spot, make it almost inevitable that a move will be coming.
Mike Matheson has been one of Montreal’s most important defensemen this season and logs the most minutes on average of any defenseman on the team. His puck-moving skills and ability to log big minutes make him an attractive option, though the Canadiens would likely set a high asking price.
The emergence of a youngster like Lane Hutson, and Kaiden Guhle establishing himself as a strong option on the second pair now make Matheson expendable. With one more year left on his contract with a small $4.85M cap hit, Matheson would be an absolute bargain next season with the cap set to jump by nearly $8M.
While the Canadiens are listening to offers on these players, they are not simply looking to offload veterans for draft picks. Instead, they have a clear plan in mind—one that includes adding to their roster in a meaningful way.
Canadiens Looking to Add to Their Lineup
Unlike traditional sellers who focus exclusively on accumulating draft capital, Montreal’s management, led by Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, is also exploring ways to add a young forward to their core. With their rebuild progressing and their roster featuring a mix of promising prospects and established talent, the Canadiens want to ensure they have the firepower necessary for future success.
Sources indicate that Montreal is targeting a young, NHL-ready forward and age-appropriate top-4 right-shot defensemen—someone who can contribute immediately, but also fits into their long-term vision. The Canadiens have reportedly expressed interest in players such as Dylan Cozens and Trevor Zegras, as both fit the mold of skilled, young centers who could complement their existing lineup.
As it pertains to right-shot defensemen, sources indicate that New York Islanders are floating Noah Dobson’s name out in trade discussions to see if they can find a way to significantly improve their fortunes and get a young forward in the process.
A source close to the situation confirms the Canadiens are keeping tabs on the situation, but that no offer has yet to be made. However, utilizing some of the assets acquired in their selling could help them soften the blow of the high price any of the above assets are likely to cost them.
This strategy aligns with the Canadiens' desire to remain competitive while still focusing on sustainable growth. They’re not in full rebuild mode; rather, they are seen as hybrid sellers. Acquiring a young forward or defenseman now could also help alleviate the uncertainty surrounding the future of some of their players, such as David Savard and Evans.
The Canadiens aren’t looking to strip their roster down completely; they are strategically assessing which moves best position them for success, both now and in the future.
“From what I’m hearing, they’re going to be proactive leading up to March 7,” said a source. “It sounds like they want to get ahead of their summer and make an impact while their team is still in the race.”
Marco D'Amico is a beat reporter covering the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL Draft, while also being a recurring guest on TSN690 and BPM Sports. His work primarily on NHL CBA breakdowns and prospect analysis, all while covering the Montreal Canadiens on a day-to-day basis.
