Major trade failed to materialize between Flyers and Habs at the deadline

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Boston Bruins attempted to acquire Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot before the Habs agreed to a deal with the Florida Panthers.

Apparently that’s not the only trade that failed to materialize in Montreal.

Eric Engels of Sportsnet now reports that a major move between the Canadiens and the Philadelphia Flyers almost took place at the deadline before it failed to work.

Engels reveals that this trade offer was on the table: Habs defenseman Jeff Petry (with salary retention) to the Flyers in return for forward James van Riemsdyk as well as a good prospect.

We however don’t know what the percentage of salary the Canadiens would have retained to make the deal work. We also do not know the name of the prospect who got involved in the rumoured transaction.

Per Engels, this trade option is likely to be discussed once again during the offseason. It would however require for Petry to lift his no-trade clause, he who is believed to have the Flyers on his list of 15 teams where he does not want to be traded. Could he agree to accept a move in order to join his family in the United States since his wife got mad at her living conditions in Montreal?

Engels also pointed out the Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars as potential teams interested in acquiring him over the summer.

There is a strong that GM Kent Hughes will look to trade Petry in the summer and that he will be done as a Canadien once the season closes.

And this failed trade make it sound like it almost happened at the deadline.