Arpon Basu Proposes Blockbuster Trade Involving Two Canadiens Regulars….

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With the NHL trade deadline fast approaching, uncertainty looms over whether Canadiens GM Kent Hughes will act as a buyer or a seller before March 7. If Montreal falls out of playoff contention in the coming weeks, Hughes is expected to move pending free agents in an effort to maximize value.

Among the potential trade candidates are David Savard, Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, and Jake Evans—all of whom could draw interest from contending teams. While Savard and Dvorak might not fetch significant returns, things could be different when it comes to Armia and Evans.

A Package Deal for a Bigger Return?

According to The Athletic’s Arpon Basu, a creative approach could help Montreal extract more value from its assets. He suggests bundling Joel Armia and Jake Evans in a single trade package, which could appeal to teams looking for a proven, high-caliber penalty-killing duo.

“[Arpon] Basu floated the idea of trading Armia and Evans as a ‘package.’
The other team would be acquiring the best penalty-killing duo in the league and a ready-made fourth line with built-in chemistry.
That could bring back a huge haul in return.
Not a bad idea.”

By trading them together, Hughes could significantly boost the return, as both players have been among the NHL’s most effective penalty killers this season. Their chemistry on the ice could make them an appealing acquisition for playoff-bound teams looking to shore up their depth.

Evans and Armia Drawing Trade Interest

Both Armia and Evans are set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1, making them prime candidates to be moved. Additionally, multiple trade rumors have already linked Evans to various teams in need of a reliable two-way forward.

As the deadline nears, Hughes will have some big decisions to make. If he chooses to package Evans and Armia together, it could prove to be a savvy move—one that helps the Canadiens secure a much larger return for two of their key role players.

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