The Montreal Canadiens look like they are going to get a key part of their blueline back in the near future, as Kaiden Guhle has practiced without any restrictions this week. This creates a tricky situation for Martin St. Louis and the Canadiens because, even before Guhle's injury, they had quite the crowded group, and that could spur a potential trade.
Already this season, the Canadiens had to send David Reinbacher down to the AHL because there weren't enough roster spots. Meanwhile, Adam Engstrom has been in the press box to begin the season as the extra defenseman on the roster.
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, teams have taken notice and are keeping an eye on the Canadiens as potential trade partners. He specifically mentions Jayden Struble, Arber Xhekaj and Adam Engstrom as players teams could be interested in.
Xhekaj was the subject of trade rumors almost all summer, as he was a restricted free agent and didn't sign a contract until a day before training camp. He is looking for a more permanent role in a team's Top 6, and the Canadiens might not be able to offer that.
While he did sign a new deal, it was only a one-year deal, and he will be a restricted free agent after the season. The same is true for Struble and Engstrom, as all three are in the final year of their deal and if the Canadiens don't believe they will re-sign them, then it makes sense to move them.
Montreal Canadiens should have plenty of interested trade partners
In the article, Pagnotta noted three teams specifically that could be looking for defensemen already this season. The three teams he noted were the Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, and Nashville Predators but there is no confirmation that any are speaking to the Montreal about a trade.
However, the question for the Canadiens is how they can make their team better, and trading one of these players probably doesn't bring back a difference-maker to improve the roster. It would make more sense for Kent Hughes to package some of these players together, alongside Samuel Montembeault and prospects, to make a big move and bring in a star.
The Canadiens could still use a second-line center, but those are hard to find, and teams right now probably don't want to move players of that caliber this early in the season.
This just seems to be a situation where NHL teams have taken note of the Canadiens roster and they are eventually going to have to move some defensemen. However, Montreal should try to hold out for a deal that makes them better and not just make a move to clear a roster spot.
Add us as a preferred source on Google