Four-player trade brewing between Wings and Habs!

A report has emerged that the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens could be on the verge of pulling the trigger on a significant trade, which allegedly involves four players. The report claims that the Habs and general manager Kent Hughes have reached to Steve Yzerman in Detroit about a trade as both teams look to improve.

The rumoured trade would send Joel Armia and Jake Evans to the Red Wings, with the Canadiens receiving Justin Holl in return along with the 23-year old former first-round pick in Joe Veleno, who scored 28 points in the as a member of Detroit a year ago.

The deal could make sense for both clubs, especially with the Canadiens looking for salary cap relief from moving Armia’s contract. However, Holl does have the same expensive $3.4 million cap hit and had an underwhelming first season in Detroit. Armia has been struggling with the Habs though, and it feels like an unlikely resurgence for the forward in Montreal. Holl, who posted just five assists in 38 games with the Wings, could be used as a serviceable bottom-pairing defenseman and on the penalty kill. 

When it comes to Veleno, who was selected with the No. 30 pick in the first round of the 2018 NHL Entry Level Draft, a change of scenery could benefit him. He was granted exceptional status, allowing him to begin his junior career a year earlier than usual at the age of 15 rather than 16, but has yet to meet those expectations in the NHL. He did post career-highs across the board this past season, his third full season with Detroit, putting up 12 goals and 16 assists. He played last season on a $825,000 prove-it deal he signed in August, just before training camp.

As for Evans, his value to the Canadiens doesn’t come in his point totals. He posted seven goals and 28 points in 82 contests, but he has to be one of the best penalty killers out there with a great efficiency in the face-off circles.

I can’t predict if this trade will take place at this point, though fans in Montreal have been waiting for GM Hughes to make a move this summer… and who knows? This could be it.