March 4, 2025 | 2:30pm ET
By David Calabretta, TheFourthPeriod.com
HABS HIT WILDCARD STATUS HEADING INTO DEADLINE
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Joel Armia, forward
MONTREAL, QC — It is officially trade deadline week, and the phones are buzzing as GMs finalize their rosters before the clock strikes 3pm ET on Friday.
The Montreal Canadiens returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off break looking like their post-Christmas selves, now riding a five-game winning streak and sitting just one point out of a wildcard spot behind Detroit, leaving GM Kent Hughes with a difficult decision compared to how they entered the break.
The Canadiens took care of some internal housekeeping by signing Jake Evans to a four-year, $11.4 million contract on Tuesday.
Contract talks between Evans and the Canadiens were difficult and did not turn a corner until Monday before a deal was finalized today, setting his new cap figure at $2.85 million starting July 1.
While there was plenty of outside interest in Evans, the Canadiens decided their best course of action was to keep him. Which leads us to...
Armia & Savard
Montreal has four pending unrestricted free agents now on the roster, most of whom have generated interest on the trade market, specifically Joel Armia and David Savard.
Armia, 31, is in the last season of a four-year, $13.6 million contract. Like Evans, the Canadiens are not desperately calling teams to get rid of the right winger, who has been a serviceable player for the Habs this season with 10 goals and 14 assists.
The Canadiens explored the possibility of packaging Armia and Evans in a deal for a larger asset, preferably a first-round pick, but that clearly never materialized. Hughes will continue to explore the market on Armia, now as a likely stand-alone asset. Teams such as Winnipeg and New Jersey have also shown interest in the Finnish forward.
While it seems more likely he will end his contract as a Canadien, there still seems to be some notable interest from the Edmonton Oilers regarding Savard as they look to bolster their blueline.
The Oilers made an addition up front earlier today, acquiring Trent Frederic from the Boston Bruins in a three-way deal that included the New Jersey Devils.
While the Oilers are one of the teams interested in Savard, it is unclear if Hughes is willing to move him for a third-round pick as he remains a key piece to the dressing room and the team’s playoff push.
Forwards Christian Dvorak and Michael Pezzetta are also eligible to become unrestricted free agents are the Habs are believed to be willing to take calls on them, as well.
Armia, Savard and Dvorak remain ranked on the TFP Trade Watch List.
Habs Buying?
With the unfortunate injury to Kirby Dach, who is deemed out for the remaining of the season due to a right knee injury, it’s no secret the Habs are seeking for a second line centre moving forward to help them now and in the future.
While a trade like such is more likely to happen in the summer, the Canadiens continue to navigate the trade market for a young proven forward to accelerate the rebuild. Some names to keep in mind going into the deadline and the summer are Trevor Zegras, Dylan Cozens, and Casey Mittelstadt, as possible options on centre.
On the recent 32T podcast, Elliotte Friedman also mentioned how Hughes and Jeff Gorton are interested in doing “hockey trades” going into the deadline, something to keep an eye on as we march into Friday.