Darren Dreger suggests a major trade between the CH and Calgary with Quebec's Jakob Pelletier and Josh Anderson as a base

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MarcO
February 17, 2023 (9:17)

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We are less than three weeks away from the NHL trade deadline, and clearly the market is heating up.

For the Montreal Canadiens, the player most in demand would be none other than Josh Anderson, and that's not surprising because he's exactly the type of player who frequently gets traded at a very high price at the deadline.

In the last few hours, the renowned Darren Dreger (TSN) has revealed some new information in this matter and it is extremely interesting.

His sources tell him that the Calgary Flames would be extremely interested in Anderson's services, and this is not new.

In fact, Flames general manager Brad Treliving has been trying to acquire Anderson since the latter was playing with the Columbus Blue Jackets. That's not an understatement!

Let's add that Anderson would certainly be a player greatly appreciated by Darryl Sutter, the Flames' head coach.

According to Dreger, Treliving was even the finalist to acquire Anderson (from Columbus) when he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in October 2020.

Since then, the Flames' GM has contacted Kent Hughes several times to inquire about Anderson's availability.

"Brad Treliving has been trying to acquire Josh Anderson since he was in Columbus.

How aggressive will Calgary be in convincing the Habs to trade him? I know Calgary has interest, there's no question. If I'm Kent Hughes, I'm targeting Jakob Pelletier++. It's also possible the Habs will have to take a bad contract in the trade." - Darren Dreger

So the CH's target would clearly be Jakob Pelletier, according to Dreger. (plus one other item) The Habs may also have to take in some salary to mop up.

Anderson, 28, has 21 points in 52 games this season with Montreal.

Pelletier, 21, was drafted 26th overall by the Flames in 2019. He has 36 points in 33 games in the AHL this season and has one goal in eight games in the NHL.

A case to watch closely. Dreger is adamant:

"I know from reliable sources that Calgary is very interested in Anderson."

Will the Habs and Flames complete another major trade, a third in two years? It's certainly a possibility.

Credit: Marco Normandin, HABSolumentFan