Which means that Ben Chiarot will be traded shortly. (Pierre LeBrun mentions that it will most likely be done within a week)
Among the potential destinations for the defenseman, you have heard a lot about the St. Louis Blues and the New York Rangers in recent weeks, but we should not forget the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Trades between two rival teams in the same division are rather rare, but in the situation in which the Canadiens find themselves in this year, we must admit that it will not change much by the end of the season.
Speaking of the Maple Leafs, their defenseman Jake Muzzin was injured in Monday's game against the Canadiens at the Bell Centre. It is not yet known how long he will be out, but he has just been placed on the long-term injured list. It's major because it frees up the necessary cap space for them, under the salary cap, to potentially add Chiarot's salary.
There is more.
Chris Johnston confirmed, on TSN, that Toronto officially called Montreal, to try to find common ground and to make a trade to send Chiarot to the Maple Leafs.
There have reportedly been several calls between Kyle Dubas and Kent Hughes.
There is even more.
According to TSN's Shawn Simpson, the return (in exchange for Ben Chiarot) should be: a first-round pick + an excellent prospect. He plays solid hockey, he's physical, and that's highly useful in the playoffs.
Wow, that's would be big. We can therefore possibly hope for a return like the one received by the Devils in the Blake Coleman trade, in February 2020. (they had then got their hands on solid prospect Nolan Foote + a first-round pick)
Do you believe it could happen?