Montreal Canadiens Rumour: Habs and Red Wings Engaged In Trade Talks?

The Montreal Canadiens continue to play a little better than expected this season and sit just below an 82 point pace as we start to approach the midpoint of the NHL's season.

While the Habs have been a little better than advertised, they are still looking up at a handful of teams that block their path to the postseason. They remain a longshot to get into the playoff picture and likely are shaping up to be sellers at the trade deadline.

One team that has been so much better than expected that they might actually be buyers this season are the Detroit Red Wings. They are in a wildcard spot at the moment and just added Patrick Kane to the lineup as a free agent signing. For the first time in nearly a decade, they look poised to make a run at the postseason.

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Red Wings and Canadiens have engaged in trade talks recently. He also mentions that Jonatan Berggren is one of the players that has recently been talked about in trade discussions around the league. He doesn't quite say that Berggren is a target of the Canadiens, but it is easy to connect these dots.

Berggren is a 23 year old winger who has piled up points at the AHL level and had 15 goals and 28 points in 67 games for the Red Wings last season. Over the past three seasons, he has scored 30 goals and 86 points in 93 career AHL games. He hasn't quite broken through at the NHL level, as he was sent back to the AHL this season but there is an intriguing package of skills there.

What could be going the other way remains is not discussed. However, with Dylan Larkin suffering a terrifying looking injury on the weekend and JT Compher also injured, the Red Wings could use some help at center.

Could Berggren be part of a trade package for Sean Monahan? Perhaps. One thing we know for certain is there won't be goaltenders involved as both teams are carrying three of them and are looking to move one.

With the Canadiens just a handful of points outside the postseason it seems a bit early to start selling off assets. However, if a team like the Red Wings become desperate for a center and offer a huge return for Monahan, you would have to pull the trigger.

Or, maybe they want Christian Dvorak whose hometown of Palos Heights, Illinois is just a few hours drive from Little Caesar's Arena in Detroit. With one goal and five points in 18 games this season, you wouldn't expect much of a return, but this is definitely something worth keeping an eye on.