NHL Insiders Name 5 Teams Fighting To Trade for Canadiens’ Available Players

With the NHL trade deadline approaching, the Montreal Canadiens seem locked into trading two of their most-coveted forwards.

After reports revealed the Habs’ asking prices in potential trades involving Jake Evans and Joel Armia, now we’ve got to learn about five specific teams who have already called Montreal inquiring about their players.

According to TSN insiders Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger, the Canadiens have received trade interest from the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, and Minnesota Wild; all of them have inquired about the availability of one or both players.

“Among the teams that I believe have called Montreal on either Evans and/or Armia: Winnipeg, Toronto, Edmonton, New Jersey and Minnesota, among others,” LeBrun said.

“It makes sense that Winnipeg would check in, right fellas? I mean, Joel Armia, for starters, is a former Winnipeg Jet. They know him, and they like that type of player. He can be a bottom-six guy. He can play in their top-six if somebody gets injured. But that’s the type of player – I would include Evans as well – that Winnipeg is more interested in depth,” Dreger added.

LeBrun noted that while Montreal remains open to dealing both forwards, general manager Kent Hughes has made it clear they are not in a position where they must trade them.

“We don’t have to trade these guys. We’ve got a lot of draft picks in this organization from our rebuild,” LeBrun said about the Habs’ mindset. “If you’re not serious in your offers, we’re happy to keep them.

” Evans, 28, has posted 27 points in 59 games this season while carrying a $1.7 million cap hit.

LeBrun previously reported that the Canadiens have set a second-round pick as the minimum asking price for the center.

“A third or fourth-round pick doesn’t move the needle for them,” he said. “The threshold is a second-round pick, so teams have to step up.”

Armia, 31, has 24 points in 59 games and carries a $3.4 million cap hit.

The Canadiens have also considered packaging Evans and Armia together to maximize their return.

The Athletic’s Arpon Basu reported that the team is aiming to acquire a third first-round pick in the upcoming draft.

“Evans on his own would bring a modest return. Armia on his own would bring a modest return,” Basu wrote. “But the two of them together on the open trade market could bring back something significant.

“The Canadiens are exploring (this idea) on the trade market, a league source said. The goal for the Canadiens here is to add a third first-round pick in the upcoming draft.”