NHL Rumors: Habs Reportedly interested in Colin White

As Monday's trade deadline passed, it was reported by Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast that Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes was interested in Senators centre Colin White. He also mentioned that many sources thought the deal was going to get done but it fell through.

Elliotte Friedman mentions on 32TP to keep an eye on #GoHabsGo and Colin White. Hughes represented White and negociated his current contract with the #GoSensGo. Conversations between the 2 teams happened and could be revisited.
— Phylippe Bernard (@PhylBernard) March 23, 2022

White is currently on the third year of a 6-year contract with an average annual salary of $4.75 million per season with the Senators. Hughes was formerly the 25-year old's player agent when he signed the deal back on August 21st 2019. With that being said, this isn't the first time the Habs have been linked to a former client since Hughes took over the GM job. There have been reports that Penguins defenseman Kris Letang who is a former client of the Habs GM has been linked to possibly signing with the Canadiens this summer as a UFA.

It is unclear what the Senators were asking for in return for their former 1st round pick in 2015, although it would seem it wasn't appropriate for the Canadiens to pull the trigger at this time.

Since signing his contract, White hasn't lived up to the expectations that he presented following a rookie season where he put up 14 goals and 41 points in 71 games during the 2018-19 season. His points have since been dipping with 23 in 66 games during the 2019-20 season. In the 2020-21 shortened season, his points per game rose from the year prior putting up 10 goals and 18 points in 45 games for the Senators.

Unfortunately this season, his progress back to his rookie season totals took a step back when he suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery back in a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. After being out for nearly five months, White made his return to the Senators lineup on February 27th against the Canadiens where he scored his team's lone goal in a 2-1 loss. Since then, he has amassed five assists in 12 games playing mainly on the Senators third line.

The Canadiens could potentially see White as a player who could benefit a lot from a change of scenery in hopes, he can regain his rookie season form. Unfortunately, injuries like a shoulder injury can set a player back for awhile. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see if the Canadiens circle back to White in the off-season.