September 25, 2023 | 11:38am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

COULD THE HABS MOVE A FORWARD BY SEASON?

Joel Armia, forward

With a surplus of NHL-calibre forwards on the roster, the Montreal Canadiens could look to deal one of their depth pieces up front before the puck officially drops on the 2023-24 NHL regular-season.

After acquiring veteran winger Tanner Pearson from the Vancouver Canucks last week, the Habs have 14 forwards capable of playing NHL minutes – excluding centre Christian Dvorak, who will miss at least one month of the season due to injury.

The Habs could create some space by simply sending a player or two down to the AHL, but the competition to start training camp will make such decisions difficult.

TFP’s David Pagnotta spoke about Montreal’s depth up front during his regular Monday appearance on TSN 690 with Sean Campbell and Mitch Gallo. He noted his curiosity as to how the Habs round out their four lines during camp and whether that could result in a move to start the season.

Forward Joel Armia was the subject of trade chatter last season and with two years left on his contract at a cap hit of $3.4 million, he could be a candidate to move to a team in need of a third-line winger.

The Canadiens are just over $6.177 million over the salary cap, but have LTIR flexibility to play with once Dvorak and goaltender Carey Price are placed on long-term IR.

Montreal also has a multitude of defencemen in camp but possess much more flexibility as several of those blueliners can be sent down without having to clear waivers.