As the NHL trade deadline on March 7th approaches, rumours are bound to dominate headlines. While some outlets use them as clickbait, it’s a good time to remind ourselves to seek out credible sources for trade speculation and news, avoiding the trap of baseless chatter.
Among the sea of rumours, there’s a notable distinction between reputable NHL insiders and the creators of what I’ll call “rumouroids”, for being a pain in the you-know-what. These rumouroids thrive on fabrications, often crafting sensational titles to draw clicks to their content, devoid of substance. Unlike trusted journalists, they rarely cite credible sources, leaving smart fans to eventually see through their tactics and move on.
Thankfully, the league boasts several well-respected insiders with proven track records. These journalists, such as Pierre LeBrun, Darren Dreger, Elliotte Friedman, Chris Johnston, and Frank Seravalli, maintain connections within teams and even the NHL’s front office, providing reliable information that fans can trust.
One insider worth highlighting is Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, who recently released his highly anticipated Trade Targets Board. This list features 25 players he predicts are most likely to be traded before the deadline, based on insights from his network of sources. His accuracy speaks for itself, with players like David Jiricek (#1), Jacob Trouba (#6), Cam Fowler (#15), and Alexandre Carrier (#18) from his prior list already on the move.
In his latest update, Seravalli includes two Montreal Canadiens players:
#15 – Jake Evans
Evans, a pending UFA, is having a career year, making him a hot commodity. His versatility and reasonable $1.7M cap hit are sure to attract interest. Seravalli suggests the Canadiens may not want to pay a premium to re-sign him, a sentiment echoed by TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun. That said, Evans could potentially stay in Montreal, especially if the team remains in playoff contention as the deadline nears.
#22 – Josh Anderson
This one raises eyebrows. Despite struggles in recent seasons under Martin St-Louis, Anderson has been a revitalized player this year. Starting strong alongside Brendan Gallagher and Evans, Anderson has continued to thrive even with Christian Dvorak centering his line. Anderson’s blend of size, speed, and toughness makes him an appealing asset for playoff-bound teams, harkening back to his key role in Montreal’s 2021 Stanley Cup run. However, his $5.5M cap hit with two more seasons left to his contract could represent a stumbling block.
Admittedly, I'm not a fan of advanced stats. But let's just say that I was NOT expecting that. The eye test shows that Gallagher and Anderson have bounced back this season but this? #GoHabsGo #Habs
— JD Lagrange (@jdlagrange.bsky.social) 2025-01-15T18:09:19.086Z
Other Canadiens to Watch
Several additional Canadiens could draw interest leading up to the deadline:
- David Savard ($3.5M – UFA)
- Joel Armia ($3.4M – UFA)
- Christian Dvorak ($4.45M – UFA)
- Mike Matheson (1 year remaining, $4.875M)
It’s important to note that the Canadiens only have one salary retention spot left, as they are still using one for Jeff Petry and another for Jake Allen.
Hughes’ Approach to the Deadline
Ultimately, the Canadiens’ trade activity will hinge on two critical factors:
- Their position in the standings.
- The quality of offers received for their players.
It’s unlikely GM Kent Hughes will sell at any cost, as we’ve covered before. The deadline promises intrigue, but only time will reveal Montreal’s strategy in this ever-evolving landscape.
