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Over the next few weeks, the trade market is likely to heat up in the NHL. We expect to see some movement before the trade freeze for the Olympics (in just over a week), but also on the heels of the actual trade deadline.
Reminder: this year, the deadline is March 6.
And of course, we're wondering how the habs will approach all this. The club is having a good season and can aspire to go far in the playoffs, but it has been slipping a bit in the standings for a while now and is the youngest team in the NHL.
Tonight, Pierre LeBrun took advantage of theInsider Trading segment to take stock of the Habs' plans for the deadline… and what we understand is that the Habs are going to be cautious.
LeBrun says he expects to see the Canadiens make a move, but he doesn't necessarily expect a major trade.
INSIDER TRADING…
– Jets focused on winning amid speculation on change
– Habs' cautious approach to the deadline
– Team Canada holds out hope for Point
– Wings hope to land C/D with term
– Isles not likely done
– Pens & Mammoth stick to patient approachWATCH: https://t.co/CZo9h0GXze pic.twitter.com/uAKdPI6fu8
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) January 27, 2026
What we can probably understand, then, is that if Kent Hughes makes a move, it will be more of a transaction to fill small gaps than to bring a big rental player to town. The club continues to think long term, and it's not going to sacrifice its future for reinforcements in 2025-26.
No, Artemi Panarin will not be traded to the Canadiens.
One might wonder if, for example, a trade to bring depth in front of the net could be considered. And if Patrik Laine were to be traded, perhaps that would give the Habs a little more leeway to go after more than one player.
But if you were hoping to see the Habs make a splash between now and March 6, you can probably forget about it… unless the club smells a good deal, of course.
Overtime
– The Red Wings are looking for some serious reinforcements.
Dreger on Insider Trading says Red Wings are looking for a 2C and right-shot D, both with term.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 27, 2026
– What do you think?
Is Laine a good defensive player? No.
Is Laine a terrible defensive player? Also no.
Full podcast here:
— Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) January 27, 2026
– I like that!
@MaximeTruman Leon Draisaitl chosen as Germany's flag bearer at the Olympics.
It's pretty rare for it to be a hockey player.https://t.co/WscdFNlwpX— LP Smith (@LPSmith_Emperor) January 27, 2026
– Rasmus Dahlin: his wife had a miscarriage.That explains his absence during the season. [HF]
– Shockwaves in the NFL: Bill Belichick did not receive enough votes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Bill Belichick, the 8-time Super Bowl-winning HC, is not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, per @SethWickersham and @DVNJr. Belichick fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes needed for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.https://t.co/ooJutI0C0Q
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2026
