Canadiens eyeing blockbuster trade to land high-priced Stanley Cup winner and former Avalanche star
Photo credit: Jason Franson / The Canadian Press
The Montreal Canadiens are in the market for a centerman and may turn to their division rivals, the Florida Panthers, to address that need.
The Canadiens would acquire Evan Rodrigues from the Panthers as part of a cap-clearing move for Florida.
Canadiens closing in on trading for former Avalanche star.
Cole Shelton from Heavy.com writes that the Canadiens would land Rodrigues, whose name has surfaced in trade rumors as the Panthers work to free up cap space. In return, Montreal would send two of its three 2026 third-round picks, it's own a New Jersey's, while keeping Boston's pick as part of the proposed deal.
"Rodrigues has two years left on his four-year, $12 million deal and would be a perfect third-line center for the Canadiens. Rodrigues was a key part of the Panthers' winning back-to-back Stanley Cups. But, he could be dealt after Florida brought back Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand." -Shelton
Rodrigues tallied 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points across 82 games last season. He added another 2 goals and 13 assists in 21 playoff games, finishing with 15 points.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are currently just over $2 million above the salary cap. Trading Rodrigues would bring them back under the cap, while also netting them two third-round picks that could be valuable assets at the trade deadline.
The Canadiens are in the market for forward help, and NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported on June 25 that Montreal plans to be aggressive in pursuing additions up front.
«I think that they're trying to make something happen. I think they've been pretty aggressive to this point and have been striking out. They're willing to deal from a position of depth. They've got lots of picks. They've got lots of prospects. They also have a lot of defensemen. So, they're willing to be aggressive to try and go out and land something. I think Kent Hughes has been pounding the pavement on that for two to three weeks now and hasn't really gotten anywhere.» -Seravalli
The Canadiens took a step toward addressing their forward needs on July 1, acquiring Zachary Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues in a trade that sent defenseman Logan Mailloux the other way.
We'll see if Canadiens GM Kent Hughes pulls off another move before the start of next season.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 7 | 19 ANSWERS Canadiens eyeing blockbuster trade to land high-priced Stanley Cup winner and former Avalanche star Will Evan Rodrigues get dealt before the start of next season? | ||
| yes | 13 | 68.4 % |
| no | 6 | 31.6 % |
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