NHL Rumors: Canadiens & Jets Could Make Blockbuster Deal

The Montreal Canadiens have gotten calls about Josh Anderson, but have decided he won't be moved unless it is a large overpayment. There appears to be a rhyme and reason for this as the Canadiens could see Anderson as a bargaining chip to acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois this summer, per Eric Engels.

Dubois is having a great season with the Winnipeg Jets, but his future goals haven't appeared to have changed from wanting to eventually play for the Canadiens. He is a restricted free agent after the season, so the choice is not in his hands just yet. He also looks to be holding out on a contract so that he can have his choice in teams as soon as he can.

The Canadiens know about his plans to play for the team at one point and can get a head start this summer. Montreal will be in desperate need of another top-six center after Sean Monahan is traded at the deadline. A future 1-2 punch of Nick Suzuki and Dubois looks really good.

Since the Jets don't have a ton of leverage when it comes to Dubois, they may choose to deal him away early and avoid any long drawn out extension talks. Not as early as this season to break up the good thing they have going, but Anderson could help provide some of the lost offence the Jets will inevitably lose with Dubois.