Habs have agreement in place to trade forward Sean Monahan

TSN's Darren Dreger reports that Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has an agreement in principle to trade veteran forward Sean Monahan to a Stanley Cup contender ahead of the NHL's March 8th trade deadline.

From Dreger on TSN's latest 'Insider Trading' segment:

“You got to go back to the off-season when the Canadiens signed Sean Monahan they had an agreement at that point that said we will trade you when the time is right to a contending team or to a team of your choice, nothing has changed there…”

“In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Sean Monahan is amongst the first forwards to get dealt before the deadline.”

"Every year there are teams that are looking for centerman. It's no different this year and I'm looking at Colorado, I'm looking at Boston, perhaps the Edmonton Oilers or the Washington Capitals if they stay in the mix."

- Darren Dreger

It certainly sounds like the veteran Monahan will be playing in a new locale before the March 8th deadline. 

In other Habs news, the team made a minor transaction earlier today picking up forward Filip Cederqvist from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for... well... nothing.

Officially Cederqvist was traded for Future Considerations, but we all know that that doesn't really mean anything.

Check it out:

The 23 year old Cederqvist has yet to play in an NHL game after being drafted in the 5th round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He's played 74 AHL games, all with the Sabres' AHL affiliate Rochester Americans, the past two seasons scoring 10 goals and 24 points. 

He's not likely to factor into the Habs' long-term plans, but he could work himself into the team's lineup this season due to some pro roster injuries.

Read more below for the press release announcement from both the Sabres and the Canadiens concerning this relatively minor deal.

The Buffalo Sabres have traded forward Filip Cederqvist to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for future considerations, the team announced Thursday. 

Cederqvist, 23, has played in 19 games for the Rochester Americans this season, recording one goal and three assists.

The Sabres' fifth-round selection in the 2019 NHL Draft has appeared in 74 career AHL games in two seasons with Rochester, tallying 24 points (10+14) in that span. Cederqvist added three points (0+3) in eight postseason contests in 2023. 

Buffalo hosts Ottawa on Thursday with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.

MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced on Thursday that the team has acquired forward Filip Cederqvist from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for future considerations.

Cederqvist, 23, has played 19 games with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League this season. The left-winger from Skara, Sweden has registered four points (one goal, three assists), in addition to serving 11 penalty minutes in 2023-24.

In 74 career games with Rochester in the AHL, Cederqvist has recorded 10 goals and 14 helpers. The 6-foot-3, 196 lb. forward has also added three assists in eight playoff appearances.

Cederqvist was selected in the fifth round (143rd overall) by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.