The Montreal Canadiens are currently mired in a vat of internal turmoil and unrealized expectations, sitting six points out of a playoff spot and looking fragile after head coach Michel Therrien put PK Subban on blast for the team's latest on-ice disappointment.
Per ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, the focus for the team in advance of the NHL Trade Deadline on February 29th is pawning off rental players on the open market -- a sign that the front office is willing to punt on a troubling 2015-16 season and look forward towards rebuilding/retooling this offseason:
"The sense you get from talking to people around the league is that the Habs' main focus is mostly to get whatever they can for pending unrestricted free agents Dale Weise, Tom Gilbert and Tomas Fleischmann, for example.
"Useful center Paul Byron, who has generated interest from other teams, is also a pending UFA but the sense I get is that the Habs would rather keep him and re-sign him at some point. He's been a positive in a tough season after being picked up on waivers from Calgary earlier in the season."
Defenseman Alexei Emelin is receiving interest from teams around the league, according to LeBrun, but his no-move clause will make it impossible for Montreal to consider offers unless Emelin's representation makes it clear that a trade would be in their client's best interest. More Canadiens trade rumors and news inside the Chat Sports iPhone and Android apps!
Regardless, the Canadiens are shifting into full sellers' mode -- making for intriguing times around Centre Bell with less than two weeks until the deadline.
Additional Note:
The Canadiens are one of four teams who've expressed interest in Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer, per the Hockey Buzz. Reimer hits free agency after this season and carries with him a $2.3 million cap hit for 2015-16.
Back to the Montreal Canadiens Newsfeed