As the trade deadline nears, there’s increasing interest in some veteran players from the Montreal Canadiens. Players like David Savard, Jake Evans, Christian Dvorak, and Joel Armia are being discussed. NHL analyst David Pagnotta pointed out that Savard and Evans, both nearing the end of their contracts, are attracting attention from various teams looking for depth and dependable players.
Pagnotta highlighted that Savard, a seasoned defenseman known for his reliability in defense, and Evans, a strong defensive center adept at penalty killing, are appealing options for teams aiming to bolster their rosters before the playoffs. This situation could provide General Manager Kent Hughes with an opportunity to acquire draft picks or promising young players. However, he emphasizes that the asking price will be significant, with Savard and Evans likely to be top priorities for certain teams.
Nevertheless, Hughes is expected to approach any potential trades with caution, as he seeks to build a competitive team while also maximizing long-term assets. Depending on the Canadiens’ performance in the coming weeks, he may opt to keep the team together for further evaluation or leverage his veterans’ worth to secure the franchise’s future. The Canadiens’ trading strategy is an important aspect to monitor in the upcoming months.
It’s also important to note that Evans has recently been moved up to the Canadiens’ second line, which reflects his strong season start and is likely to boost his value further.
While this development wasn’t part of the original plan, it will be intriguing to observe how things unfold as the much-anticipated trade deadline approaches.