Will Max Pacioretty be traded?
The Fourth Period: The Montreal Canadiens are shopping Max Pacioretty. Pacioretty, 29, has one-year left on his contract after this season and comes with very affordable $4.5 million salary cap hit. Several teams will most certainly have serious interest in Pacioretty, but given the Canadiens’ position in the standings – they sit 14th in the Eastern Conference and 28th in the NHL – those clubs may try to lowball Habs GM Marc Bergevin, who cannot afford to make a poor move, as questions over his tenure with the club have continued to pop up, as well. The Canadiens want a young, proven goal-scorer as part of a deal for Pacioretty.
Latest Ottawa Senators trade rumors
Ottawa Sun: Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion has been fairly active on the trade front lately, taking and making calls about some of his current roster players. There is “significant interest” in forwards Mike Hoffman, Zack Smith and centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Several teams have called about them, with the St. Louis Blues reportedly interested in Hoffman. One player whom the Sens could sell off is their veteran defenceman Johnny Oduya, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
The Vancouver Canucks are looking at trading Erik Gudbranson
The Fourth Period: The Vancouver Canucks are taking calls on defenceman Erik Gudbranson, whom many around the NHL believe will be moved by the Feb. 26 NHL trade deadline. Gudbranson, who turns 26 on Jan. 7, is making $3.5 million this season and can become an unrestricted free agent this coming summer. Several teams are looking to bolster their blueline, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks.
