Montreal Canadiens & New Jersey Devils emerging as trade partners

The Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils are quickly becoming two teams to watch on the trade market, ahead of the NHL's trade deadline March 7. 

The Devils are a legit Stanley Cup contender. GM Tom Fitzgerald is going to be very busy leading up to the deadline, looking to make a couple of upgrades, among his bottom six and within his blueline. Fitzgerald could kill two birds with one stone if he makes a deal with Canadiens GM Kent Hughes. 

Insert Canadiens third-line centre Jake Evans and defenseman David Savard. Evans, 28, is quickly becoming one of the biggest trade assets in the league with his strong play this season. The Toronto, ON native has recorded 27 points in 53 games this season, and has been a force on the penalty kill in Montreal. He's signed for $1.7 million this season, and like Savard, is a pending unrestricted free agent at season's end.

Hughes could very well cash in on both rentals, even with the Canadiens being just five points out of a wild-card position in the Eastern Conference. The Devils have a projected $3.9 million on deadline cap space, which means they may need to get Hughes to retain some salary on Savard's $3.5 million AAV, or they could send a roster player back to Montreal to even out the finances.

New Jersey is sitting in third in the Metro Division, five points clear of the wild-card spot, so it's 'buyers mode' for Fitzgerald and the Devils. Evans and Savard check off two big boxes, adding sandpaper and defensive-minded players to a very talented core in Jersey. The Canadiens duo could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Devils to finally get over the hump.

Photo credit:  Jerome Miron-Imagn Images