3 Potential Trade Destinations for Canadiens Sam Montembeault

Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is in an interesting spot ahead of the March 3 trade deadline. The Habs aren't necessarily in a full rebuild and will look to make hockey deals which are going to benefit the team in the short and long term. While Sean Monahan remains the prime trade chip in Montreal, look for Hughes to take trade calls on goaltender Sam Montembeault. Here's a few teams who will be interested:

Pittsburgh Penguins

Word is the Penguins are checking in on just about every available goalie on the market as they look for ways to create more depth in their crease. Montembeault is a solid candidate as he's signed through next season at $1 million and according to Money Puck, is 11th in the entire league in goals saved above expected. The analytics folks are drooling, but we'll see if Pens GM Ron Hextall feels the same.

Vancouver Canucks

There's been a ton of speculation brewing about what the Canucks are going to do with starting netminder Thatcher Demko and if indeed he hits the trade market, look for the Canadiens to be heavily involved. If a big trade does go down between the two franchises for Demko, expect to see Montembeault heading the other way in the package.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils have Vitek Vanecek who appears to be the team's number one but expect to see New Jersey troll the waters to see what other depth options are out there. Mackenzie Blackwood is becoming a bit of a bust and the Devils could be interested in potential swap with the Habs. 

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