The Monday trade deadline in the National Hockey League is rapidly approaching and although the Montreal Canadiens already pulled the trigger on a trade, more might be underway.
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Despite saying he would rather keep him, Kent Hughes is apparently taking a number of calls involving pending restricted free agent Artturi Lehkonen.
Darren Dreger on @TSN690: “I know Kent Hughes was busy yesterday afternoon, right up to puck drop… I feel another piece is going to drop soon, maybe as early as today.” #Habs
— HabsLinks (@HabsLinks) March 18, 2022
At the time of this writing, Lehkonen is still a member of the Montreal Canadiens. It seems however, that the price to pay may have become logical not just due to the pending contract he may receive in arbitration(rumored to be between $4-5 million), but his value only increased with the recent trade of Brandon Hagel from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Hagel belongs in that same category of Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow and Artturi Lehkonen. Responsible two-way forwards who can play the game in any way and is a gem on and off the ice.
Granted the important part is that Tampa Bay’s competing window is still wide open and can remain that way for another couple of years. So sacrificing 1st round picks that unless disaster strikes, will probably be ranked 30 or lower, is acceptable. Which is still crazy when you think about it.
Also did you know? Brandon Hagel was once a member of the Montreal Canadiens.
Did you know?
— Puck Rumeurs (@PuckRumeurs) March 18, 2022
Brandon Hagel played with Montreal against Ottawa in September 7, 2018 in the prospect showcase. Habs didn't sign him and then, Hagel got a contract with Chicago one month later.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ncg8onhCMg
All that to say, this just blows the doors wide open on this year’s trade deadline. If Hagel can fetch this kind of package, is it now so far fetched that Lehkonen can either bring back a 1st or a 1st round prospect? Will the Rangers finally snap and pony up Vitali Kravtsov, who both Hughes and Gorton are very high on? Or a 1st and Julien Gauthier or a Matthew Robertson? Will the Flames come back into the mix and offer up a package consisting of Jakob Pelletier?
Keep an eye on the Rangers and the Habs between now and March 21. I think Montreal covets some Rangers prospects. Habs could fill some Rangers needs. Montreal would rather add prospects over picks. Already have 12 picks for the July draft. Rangers' pipeline drawing Habs interest
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 16, 2022
Anything is possible at this point.