Montreal Canadiens trying to clear cap space before trade deadline

 

The trade deadline is now just under a month away and for GM's in Canada there is an issue of a mandatory two-week quarantine that must be served by any player that is acquired through trade. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet  reported on Saturday even a vaccinated player won't be able to circumvent the length of quarantine. One Canadian team that may be looking to make a move before the deadline is Montreal. 

Montreal currently has just under $800k in cap space and according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels the Canadiens are trying to free up cash to make a run at defenseman and depth center. The apparent targets for GM Marc Bergevin are Nashville's Mattias Ekholm and possibly the Red Wings Luke Glendening. Paul Biron and Artturi Lehkonen would be two contracts the Canadiens would love to move, Biron makes $3.4 million and is signed through 2023. Trading Lehkonen might be easier as he makes $2.4 million and is a UFA at the end of the season. Bergevin may feel pressure to pull the trigger soon if he wants Ekholm, the Nashville defenseman will have a bidding war for his services with the Flyers and Bruins expressing interest already. 

A flat cap and quarantine rules may make this years deadline a little slower than previous years have been, but there seems to be the makings of a blockbuster or two in the air. Which team will strike first?

photo credit: Jarome Miron/ USA Today Sports