With the Olympic break over and the roster freeze lifted, NHL teams are gearing up for a flurry of activity ahead of the March 6th trade deadline. The Montreal Canadiens are one team to watch, as General Manager Kent Hughes has a range of options to consider in the coming days.
While a blockbuster trade for someone like Sergei Bobrovsky might be a stretch, the Canadiens are more likely to bolster their defense or add a Top 6 forward. A name that’s been buzzing is Columbus Blue Jackets' forward Mason Marchment.
The Canadiens expressed interest in Marchment last summer when the Dallas Stars were open to moving him. Since then, Marchment has been on the move, first landing with the Seattle Kraken before being traded to the Blue Jackets in December.
Despite the frequent trades, Marchment remains a hot commodity. Known for his physical play, he's racked up 514 hits over seven seasons and is no slouch offensively, with 22 goals in each of the past two seasons and 13 already this year.
The trades are more about his contract status, as he's in the final year of his deal. Teams are keen to get value if they can't secure his signature long-term.
The Blue Jackets, however, might not be in a hurry to make moves, as they’ve clawed back into the playoff race, sitting just four points shy of a Wild Card spot after an impressive 9-1 run before the Olympic break.
But if Columbus stumbles post-break, their strategy could shift, making Marchment a prime trade candidate. If that scenario unfolds, the Canadiens should be ready to pounce and secure the player they missed out on last summer.