Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens aggressively trying to trade 3 players

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Matt Garland
November 4, 2022 (11:35)

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Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reported Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is busy working the phones with the ultimate goal of relieving the roster of their bevy of forwards.

The Canadiens have too many forwards at their disposal, and with Joel Edmundson's return, the team was forced to place veteran Evgenii Dadonov on the injured reserve.

«Certainly, on paper, you can see why the two teams want to talk,» said LeBrun, «And I'm told there has been communication with the Habs.»

The Washington Capitals lost forward Connor Brown for the season, placing him on LTIR due to an injured ACL which required surgery. The best-case scenario for his return is early May.

Per LeBrun the Caps aren't desperate to replace him yet.

«For now, Washington is intent on looking at their internal options,» said LeBrun. «Whether that's Connor McMichael or Sonny Milano they just signed. For now, Washington wants to look at that.»

«The Habs haven't not only reached out to Washington,» said LeBrun. «They reached out to several clubs around the NHL to create a trade market for the glut of forwards. Whether that's Evgenii Dadonov, Jonathan Drouin or Mike Hoffman, the Habs have too many guys up front, which is why there's been some noteworthy healthy scratches every night with the team. We'll see where that goes, but the Habs are certainly trying to make a move.»

Of the three players listed by LeBrun, Drouin carries the largest salary at an expiring $5.5 million cap hit. The 27-year-old pending unrestricted free agent has two assists in eight games this season after posting six goals and 20 points in 34 games last season.

Dadonov, 33, is also a pending unrestricted free agent and carries a $5 million cap hit. He is without a point in eight games this season, his first with the Canadiens after being acquired in the off-season from the Vegas Golden Knights.

Hoffman is under contract through next season at a $4.5 million cap hit. The 32-year-old has one goal and two points in nine games this season after scoring 15 goals and posting 35 points in 67 games last season.

It feels like this situation is coming to a resolution. It doesn't make sense to sit a $4-$5 million player in the press box each night.