Potential trade imminent with the Habs, according to a source connected to the NHL: three players targeted

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Jeff Drouin
September 19, 2022 (2:43 PM)

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According to reports from Marco D'Amico (Montreal Hockey Now), general manager Kent Hughes is reportedly back on his phone.

In particular, he's reportedly been receiving several calls, over the past few days, according to a "well-connected source in the National Hockey League," and a trade really seems imminent.

See the exact passage:

"According to a well-connected NHL source, the Canadiens are looking to move some of their surplus forwards right now, but general managers aren't ready to start officially moving pieces of their roster yet, not until they have a clearer picture of their players in training camp." - Marco D'Amico

So there could be some basis for negotiations, or basis for trades in place, but the outcome of the various training camps could have an impact on a possible imminent final trade involving the Montreal Canadiens.

"It's only a matter of time before things start moving (in Montreal). They say there's really been a surge of activity (in the trade market) in the last few days. Hughes is reportedly working very hard right now, according to a well-placed NHL executive, to find a deal." - Marco D'Amico

Hughes is focused on freeing up space under the salary cap, and trading a forward.

If the CH is able to free up $2 million before the season starts, then it would be possible to move Carey Price from the off-season LTIR to the regular season LTIR, and that would give Hughes a lot more flexibility.

Not surprisingly, Kent Hughes wants to move a forward, in order to get a defenseman, preferably right-handed, and possibly a veteran to come in and mentor the youngsters.

The names that would be on the trade market are: Mike Hoffman, Joel Armia and, to a lesser extent, Christan Dvorak (again according to D'Amico).

We'll have to watch closely over the next few days, but we shouldn't be surprised if a forward is traded soon, especially before the season starts, to free up that famous $2M.

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