Habs Daily: Likely Trade Deadline Targets, Early Trades, Playoffs

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Thursday.

Montreal Canadiens News

Daily Faceoff and The Athletic released their most recent Trade Deadline bait boards, and both outlets agree that Joel Armia and David Savard are the most likely players to be traded by the Montreal Canadiens. It’s not news by any means, but it does confirm some of the NHL Trade Deadline chatter reported in the last week. [Trade Deadline: Canadiens Facing Delicate Situation For Armia & Savard]

Five players were placed on NHL Waivers prior to the Trade Deadline. To be eligible to participate in the Calder Cup playoffs, players must be on an AHL roster at 3 pm ET.  [Canadiens Roster Talk: Several Players Placed On NHL Waivers]

The good news is that Cole Caufield scored for a fourth game in a row, and the Canadiens secured a point in Edmonton, while almost all their playoff rivals lost in regulation. The bad news is the Oilers were clearly the best team on Thursday, and Montreal’s five-game winning streak came to an end. [Habs Highlights: Cole Caufield Is Red Hot, One Point Secured]

A well-deserved accolade for Cole Caufield! It was a glorious goal, after all.

The Electric Goal of the Week presented by @HyundaiCanada just has to go to Cole Caufield this week. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/2HkM7a9ESv

— NHL (@NHL) March 6, 2025

We’re going to go ahead and assume Ruby is a good girl. Possibly the best girl.

Nick Suzuki & his fiancée Caitlin with their new pup Ruby 🐶♥️ pic.twitter.com/qwQtAwy4kf

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) March 7, 2025

NHL Trade Deadline Deals

There were a slew of trades on Thursday, demonstrating that the NHL’s Trade Market is heating up.

The first trade involved the New Jersey Devils and the Anaheim Ducks, with defenceman Brian Dumoulin joining the Devils in exchange for a conditional second-round pick.

🚨TRADE ALERT🚨

We have acquired D Brian Dumoulin from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Herman Traff and a 2025 conditional 2nd-Round Draft Pick.

📰: https://t.co/5siC9c5PkO pic.twitter.com/sPyIWuhisF

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) March 6, 2025

The Florida Panthers followed it up by adding some depth to their forward lineup, acquiring Nico Sturm from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a fourth-round pick.

Nice to have you, Nico!

📝 » https://t.co/FxnQaBlRVY pic.twitter.com/M5dL3y7Qy4

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 6, 2025

Rielly Smith is on his way back to Las Vegas. The Golden Knights re-acquired Smith from the New York Rangers in exchange for Brandon Brisson and a third-round pick.

🔄 TRADE DETAILS 🔄

The Vegas Golden Knights have acquired Reilly Smith from the New York Rangers in exchange for Brendan Brisson and a 2025 3rd round pick #VegasBorn https://t.co/GT32OCxcfD

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 6, 2025

There was also a goalie swap on the docket. The Winnipeg Jets sent Kaapo Kahkonen to the Florida Panthers for Chris Driedger.

Welcome home, Driedgs! 🏡

We have acquired goaltender Chris Driedger from the Florida Panthers in exchange for goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen. pic.twitter.com/nPsEVPCzSQ

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 6, 2025

Carson Soucy has a new address. The defenceman was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Rangers for a third-round pick.

It’s Carson Soucy to the New York Rangers for a 2025 third-round pick, the pick that originally belonged to the San Jose Sharks I’m told.

— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) March 6, 2025

Jake Walman was reportedly traded to the Oilers in exchange for a first-round pick and a prospect. The trade was not confirmed when I scheduled the article, but if it does go through, you have to think the Red Wings will be kicking themselves, as they paid a second-round pick to get rid of Walman earlier this year. As much as I respect Steve Yzerman’s playing career, his choices as a general manager often leave a lot to be desired.

Walman has been informed he’s being traded to Edmonton. There might be a small caveat that holds it up, but assuming that is smoothed out, this should get finalized. https://t.co/n9m6LF4xjK

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 7, 2025

The long-awaited Brock Nelson trade finally went through. The rich get richer, as the Colorado Avalanceh acquired Nelson and William Dufour in exchange for Calum Ritchie, a 2026 or 2027 first-round pick, a conditional 2028 third-round pick, and Oliver Kylington. [NHL]

National Hockey Now Network

There’s been a lot of trade chatter regarding Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand. It would never happen, but I would love to see a player like Marchand sign with the Canadiens this summer as an unrestricted free agent. He still produces, and unlike most former Stanley Cup winners that are available on the trade market, he still brings value to the table. [Boston Bruins]

The New Jersey Devils made their first move ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. The Devils trade a second round pick and prospect Herman Traff to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenceman, Brian Dumoulin (50% retained). [New Jersey Devils]

It’s a reunion we all wondered about— on Thursday, the Vegas Golden Knights traded Brendan Brisson and a 2025 third-round pick to the New York Rangers for Reilly Smith. [Vegas Golden Knights]