WHY THE CANADIENS MONTREAL WANT TO DO AN EARLY-SEASON TRADE

GM of the Montreal Canadiens Kent Hughes isn’t averse to making audacious and daring deals in order to add future pieces to his rebuilding team. Some observers are wondering if he’s planning to sign a deal early in the season because of this.

Cayden PrimeauCayden Primeau

 

Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now listed the Canadiens, along with the Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets, as teams that might make some significant moves before Thanksgiving, which falls on November 23.

Cayden Primeau, 24, is reportedly on the market, according to a source Murphy cited. The Canadiens are reportedly considering bids for the goaltender. In order to avoid losing Primeau to waivers if they try to send him to their AHL affiliate in Laval, the Habs are starting the season with three goalies.

Murphy’s source said that Primeau might be of interest to the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, and San Jose Sharks.

If Kaapo Kahkonen leaves as a free agent next summer, the Sharks may need to find a replacement. The Kings’ tandem of Pheonix Copley and Cam Talbot has some observers worried. But the Flyers also have three goalies on the roster: Felix Sandstrom and Samuel Ersson will relieve starter Carter Hart.

Given the past two seasons’ record of injuries to the Canadiens, Hughes might be hesitant to part with Primeau. He might serve as a backup plan in the event that Sam Montembeault or Jake Allen are injured.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said on Saturday that Joel Armia might be someone to keep an eye on in the trade market. The Canadiens recently called up the 30-year-old winger, who began the season in Laval.

Through 2024–25, Armia has an average annual value of $3.4 million but has no no-trade clause. Hughes may need to keep part of his salary in order to be traded because so many teams are short on cap space.

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