Canadiens Wrap: Chiarot, Lehkonen, NHL Trade Rumors

With Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot set to return Sunday against the New York Islanders, the NHL trade rumors on him have intensified even more.

Where could Habs forward Artturi Lehkonen wind up on the NHL trade market?

One prominent NHL media member still believes that the Marc-Andre Fleury to the Bruins NHL trade rumors are true. 

That and more in the latest Canadiens Wrap: 

Montreal Canadiens

Ben Chiarot is expected to play Sunday against the Islanders. Will it be his last game as a Habs defenseman before being moved on the NHL trade market?

Are the Washington Capitals pursuing Montreal Canadiens utility winger Artturi Lehkonen on the NHL trade market?

Remember, there are already NHL trade rumors linking Caps goalie Ilya Samsonov to the Habs, so where there’s smoke, there’s fire right?

National Hockey Now

BOS: Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons thinks that the Marc-Andre Fleury to the Bruins NHL trade rumors are true. He lists the B’s as the only team Fleury may end up with. 

NYI: Stefen Rosner had a dose of Murphy’s Law hit him on his first road trip covering the New York Islanders. 

Philly: Will the Philadelphia Flyers move defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen on the NHL trade market? Will they sign Johnny Gaudreau if he hits the free agency market next summer? Sama Carchidi gives his take. 

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins locked up depth defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a two-year extension that will carry an $800,000 salary cap hit. 

Florida: How much do the Toronto Maple Leafs regret moving Mason Marchment to the Florida Panthers on the NHL trade market two years ago?

Vegas: The Vegas Golden Knights may have Jack Eichel in their lineup now but they still find themselves mired in a mini-slump. 

Calgary: If Saturday night’s win in defenseman Mark Giordano’s homecoming game is any indication, the Calgary Flames have moved on from Giordano and won’t reacquire him. 

Vancouver: After the Vancouver Canucks lost two defensemen in an embarrassing 7-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, could they be scouring the NHL trade market for some depth on the blue line?

NHL

It’s no coincidence that now that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have bought into two-way hockey that the Edmonton Oilers have ripped off five straight wins. Sorry, but John Tortorella was right when he said things wouldn’t change there until the team’s two best players decided to play defense. 

Former Boston Bruins winger Nick Ritchie was finally traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night. The Leafs sent Ritchie and Arizona’s choice of Toronto’s third-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft or Toronto’s second-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. In exchange, Toronto acquired Ryan Dzingel and defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin. 

The Anaheim Ducks are parting ways with their assistant general manager Dave Nonis.