Three games. That’s all that remains. The Montreal Canadiens have just three contests left on their schedule before the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline arrives on March 7. By then, the roster could look at least a little different.
Despite riding a three-game winning streak, the Habs remain on the outside of the playoff picture. Who stays and who goes? That remains anyone’s guess.
In spite of winning 3 in a row, the #Habs are still 5 points back of a playoffs’ spot and must still leap 4 teams in the standings.Their odds of making the playoffs are at 10.2% while the odds of them selecting 1st overall have dropped to… 0%. #GoHabsGo
— JD Lagrange (@jdlagrange.bsky.social) 2025-02-28T13:02:31.948Z
One thing we do know, according to TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun, is that Canadiens GM Kent Hughes isn’t looking to make deals just for the sake of it. He’s made it clear to teams that he won’t move pending UFAs unless his asking price is met. Instead, he’s prioritizing hockey trades—the kind that bring immediate help rather than simply adding more picks or prospects.
Pierre LeBrun specifically mentioned the Minnesota Wild as a team to watch regarding Jake Evans & Joel Armia.They recently placed Joel Eriksson Ek on injury reserve. They’re also 30th on the penalty kill.
— /r/Habs (@habsonreddit.bsky.social) 2025-02-27T23:45:17.230Z
Trade Bait Boards
As the deadline looms, let’s turn to what some of the most reliable NHL insiders are hearing. Several have compiled trade bait lists, giving us a better sense of which Canadiens players are drawing attention.
DAILY FACEOFF (Frank Seravalli)
4 Jake Evans
11 Joel Armia
35 David Savard
39 Josh Anderson
17 Jake Evans
18 Joel Armia
29 David Savard
THE FOURTH PERIOD (David Pagnotta)
8 Jake Evans
21 David Savard
29 Christian Dvorak
It’s clear that Jake Evans is a constant name in trade chatter. However, unlike the others, Pagnotta doesn’t include Joel Armia but lists Christian Dvorak instead. It’s hard to imagine the Canadiens moving both Evans and Dvorak—two veteran centers—despite Owen Beck’s promising development.
LeBrun also noted that some teams are considering acquiring Evans and Armia as a package deal due to their strong chemistry on the penalty kill. The Minnesota Wild have been mentioned as a potential suitor.
My biggest "want" for the #Habs at this upcoming trade deadline is for Kent Hughes to get his hands on another 1st rd pick. Why? Because I feel that with 3 of them at the upcoming Draft, it opens many options to trade for an impact player or move up to draft the player the #GoHabsGo want.
— JD Lagrange (@jdlagrange.bsky.social) 2025-02-28T15:53:31.084Z
Prospects on the Move?
Meanwhile, Bleacher Report identified five prospects who could be on the move ahead of the deadline:
1. Brad Lambert (Winnipeg Jets)
Position: C/W Age: 21 Height: 6’0” Weight: 183 lbs
Drafted: 2022 round 1 #30 overall
League: AHL GP: 40 G: 4 A: 20 Pts: 24
2. Brandt Clarke (Los Angeles Kings)
Position: RD Age: 22 Height: 6’2” Weight: 201 lbs
Drafted: 2021 round 1 #8 overall
League: NHL GP: 54 G: 6 A: 31 Pts: 37
3. Easton Cowan (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Position: C/W Age: 19 Height: 5’11” Weight: 185 lbs
Drafted: 2023 round 1 #28 overall
League: OHL GP: 36 G: 20 A: 25 Pts: 45
4. Simon Nemec (New Jersey Devils)
Position: RD Age: 21 Height: 6’1” Weight: 190 lbs
Drafted: 2022 round 1 #2 overall
League: AHL GP: 34 G: 5 A: 18 Pts: 23
5. Brendan Brisson (Vegas Golden Knights)
Position: LW Age: 23 Height: 6’0” Weight: 192 lbs
Drafted: 2020 round 1 #29 overall
League: AHL GP: 43 G: 5 A: 11 Pts: 16
While it’s becoming clear that Kirby Dach may not develop into the second-line center the Canadiens envisioned, acquiring a long-term replacement via trade seems unlikely before the deadline. More realistically, that’s a move Hughes could explore in the offseason—unless the right opportunity presents itself from a desperate team by Friday.
The Canadiens’ Approach
Based on the latest reports, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Canadiens take a hybrid approach—acting as both buyers and sellers. Hughes wants to add players who can help immediately and beyond this season, while also holding onto some pending UFAs as internal rentals before re-evaluating in the summer.
Either way, this week promises plenty of action across the NHL, and the Canadiens will undoubtedly be in the mix.
