It’s in just over a week (next Friday, to be exact) that we’ll see the NHL trade deadline. This means that in the coming days, we’ll have more and more activity in the Bettman circuit… and that some players may change addresses.
From the bunch, in Montreal, we’re closely watching Jake Evans and Joel Armia. We know that the two upcoming free agents are the best trading chips the Canadiens have… and we can wonder if they’ll still be in town in 10 days.
And we know that in Evans’ case, contract extension negotiations aren’t really progressing.
However, on TSN’s airwaves tonight, Pierre LeBrun discussed the situation of the two forwards ahead of the trade deadline… and according to what he’s heard, the Canadiens don’t feel the need to trade the two players:
The Canadiens are telling other teams that they don’t have to trade [Evans and Armia]. – Pierre LeBrun
INSIDER TRADING…
– What’s the market for Evans & Armia
– Jets seek best fit, not biggest name
– Hurricanes/Rantanen
– Injured Frederic still in play
– Sabres’ Cozens, Byram & Tuch
– Contenders wait to hear on NelsonMORE: https://t.co/UpsTth1mfD pic.twitter.com/tSGM1AeLNh
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 27, 2025
LeBrun notes that the Canadiens are aware they already have a good bank of draft picks, which means they don’t have to replenish their bank at all costs. So, if they don’t get the price they want, they can afford to be patient… or not trade them at all.
After all, maybe buying time would allow the Canadiens and Evans’ clan to get closer to a long-term agreement.
The team won’t deprive itself of trading Evans and Armia if the offers are good. That being said, what seems to be understood is that Kent Hughes doesn’t intend to trade them at a low price: if he doesn’t get the price he wants, he’s comfortable with the idea of keeping them in town beyond next March 7th.
Extension
Among them, we count the Jets (with whom Armia has already played), the Devils, the Wild, the Oilers… and the Maple Leafs.
