Early rumblings of a trade between the Habs and Rangers.

The Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers may be destined to dance ahead of the National Hockey League's trade deadline.

On Saturday night, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed his belief that the Rangers are among the teams that are heavily interested in acquiring veteran forward Sean Monahan from the Canadiens.

"[Monahan] is approaching 35 points this year and... I think one of the teams that people are looking at is the New York Rangers," said Friedman on Saturday night.

It sounds like other teams around the league also believe that the Rangers are in on Sean Monahan.

"I do think a lot of team's are wondering if Monahan is very much on the Rangers' radar," revealed Friedman.

Friedman made the comments prior to today's announcement regarding Rangers forward Filip Chytil, news that all but assuredly increases the Rangers' need for help at the forward position. Chytil will miss the remainder of the season, leaving the Rangers with an even more pressing need up front.

That being said, Rangers insider Larry Brooks does not believe the Rangers will give up a first round pick in order to pry Monahan away from the Canadiens.

Getting this deal across the finish line may be easier said than done however, with Friedman hinting at some potential animosity between the front offices in New York and Montreal.

"The big challenge there is there isn't a lot of love loss between the two front officers, the Canadiens and the Rangers, so will it be a complicated deal to do between them?" said Friedman in conclusion.

Executive vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton formerly served as the general manager of the New York Rangers for several years, so perhaps that is where this alleged animosity stems from.