December 18, 2023 | 4:40pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

HABS VETERANS WILL GENERATE TRADE INTEREST

David Savard, defenceman

The NHL’s holiday roster freeze kicks in Wednesday at 12am local time, per market, and runs through Dec. 27, lifting at 12:01am on Dec. 28. Some teams are trying to see if they can swing a transaction before the freeze begins, while others continue to do their due diligence around the League.

The Montreal Canadiens have four players on expiring contracts scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next summer – forwards Sean Monahan, Tanner Pearson and Mitchell Stephens, and defenceman Chris Wideman – and while they may generate interest leading up to the March 8 trade deadline, some of the club’s veterans signed beyond this season may be drawing more attention.

Forwards Christian Dvorak, Jake Evans and Joel Armia, defenceman David Savard and goaltender Jake Allen are all signed for another season and as TFP’s David Pagnotta has recently reported, all but Evans are believed to be actively available – though the club would be willing to take on calls about Evans.

Allen owns a seven-year no-trade list as part of while contract, while Dvorak has an eight-team no-trade list.

The Canadiens are reportedly not close to an imminent move, though Pagnotta did report the Habs were in recent discussions with the Detroit Red Wings about forward Jonatan Berggren, and it seems unlikely a major trade will be made prior to the roster freeze. However, Habs GM Kent Hughes remains open to taking inquiries.

Several contending teams are looking to improve their defensive corps and adding a stay-at-home defender like Savard for two playoff runs will peak the interest of some.

The Habs currently sit 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 13-13-4 record. Though they are just four points out of the final wildcard spot, the mandate in Montreal has not changed as Hughes and the team remain focused on their long-term rebuilding objective.

Montreal has made it known that they are willing to take on a contract or two to help facilitate a trade, if they are incentivized to do so, and they have one more retention slot open this season.

Of their pending UFAs, the Habs do have interest in discussing a contract extension with Monahan and his camp and those conversations could take place after the New Year.