Social media has been abuzz with the possibility of the Montreal Canadiens trading Jake Evans and Joel Armia as a package deal at the trade deadline. The idea is that the two could slot into the bottom six of a playoff team lacking depth, forming a formidable fourth line and a top penalty-killing unit. It's funny how sports work out, as the talk on Tuesday afternoon was about the possibility of it happening, and then the pair combined on a game-winning shorthanded goal in the third period of the Habs' 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks.
Armia and Evans really adding to the "trade them as a package deal" idea https://t.co/8q8iBMKLyk
— A Winning Habit (@FSAWinningHabit) February 5, 2025
I recently released trade deadline destinations for both Evans and Armia. There was no overlap in teams for both players, but there are some intriguing options among the list. One team I look at is the Edmonton Oilers as a group that could use additional depth down their lineup and a top penalty killing unit. The Oilers rank 23rd in the league in penalty killing, while the Canadiens rank ninth thanks to Evans and Armia. How much better could the Oilers look heading into the postseason if they have a top-ten penalty killing unit?
You must believe the Canadiens will need to at least get a first-round pick back from the Oilers for this haul. The 2025 first-round doesn't have the most depth, so the Oilers' current compensation options could work in the Canadiens' favour. Edmonton has their first-round pick in 2025 tied up in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers, but there are some conditions that could make sense for the Oilers.
The Oilers will forfeit their first-round pick to the Flyers if it isn't a top-12 selection. The Oilers are nowhere near getting a top-12 pick, so they will forfeit their first-round pick in 2025. If Edmonton trades their first-rounder in 2026, there will be no pick to slide to the Flyers, which makes the pick that the Flyers own unprotected in 2025. The Oilers can safely take that risk without worrying about it being a top choice.
The Canadiens will be happy to take the 2026 selection, as any playoff team they receive a first-round pick from for the pair will be later in the first round. The class lacks depth, and the Canadiens would need to hit a home run to get anyone of value with picks 20-32 in 2025. Montreal's best choice is to take a chance on whichever team's pick in 2026 and hope they have a poor 2025-26 season.
Evans and Armia did plenty to add value to the package deal rumor on Tuesday night. Will Kent Hughes go that route, or can the Canadiens maximize their value by sending the players in separate ways?