NHL Trade Rumors: 3 Montreal Canadiens Trade Candidates

3 months ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors

The Montreal Canadiens are looking to get back into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference as general manager Kent Hughes has been very patient re-tooling and rebuilding on the fly. The Canadiens weren't necessarily major players during free agency and have also been pretty quiet on the trade market.That could change next season as Hughes will be looking to shed some salary should the Habs be unable to take another step forward in 2024-24. Here's three Canadiens to watch as prime trade candidates:David SavardThe veteran Savard has one season left on his contract and until an extension is signed, expect to hear Savard's name laced in trade speculation. He's a shut-down defender who has become quite the mentor in Montreal and with his Stanley Cup Playoff experience, contending teams are drooling over adding him to their top two pairs. Hughes has held firm to not move Savard to this point, despite a flurry of trade offers last season, could this year be different? Savard is owed $3.5 million AAV in 24-25 and does not have any trade protection on his contract.Christian DvorakDvorak's tenure in Montreal hasn't lived up to expectations and as the 28-year-old versatile forward enters the final season of his contract, he's certainly trending towards being on the rental market ahead of the trade deadline next season. Dvorak is owed $4.45 million in 2024-25 and holds a eight-team no-trade clause. He recorded just nine points in 30 games last season, so expect to see some salary retention in any Dvorak transaction.One of Brendan Gallagher or Josh AndersonBoth wingers have three seasons left on their deal and are currently over paid. Gallagher makes $6.5 million AAV, meanwhile Anderson is on the books at $5.5 million AAV. Anderson finished last season with 20 points, meanwhile Gallagher recorded 31 points. Hughes will be looking to create financial flexibility for what's shaping up to be a very talented 2025 free-agent class, so there's a very good chance one, if not both, Gallagher and Anderson don't finish next season in Montreal. Photo credit:  Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports...

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