Canadiens News & Rumors: Savard, Chelios, Zegras & More

In this edition of the Montreal Canadiens News & Rumors, general manager (GM) Kent Hughes has his work cut out for him as the rebuild continues. The Canadiens prospects receive praise. Rumors still swirl around the availability of veterans and on Montreal’s search for more offense.  

“Just like the trade of Elias Lindholm from Calgary to Vancouver created a market crunch for Sean Monahan that Hughes was able to leverage, once Calgary trades the right-shot, defence-first, shot-blocking Chris Tanev, a similar situation could be created for Savard as a defenceman who fits that same profile. Only one team can trade for Tanev, and the ones that don’t get him will surely double back with the Canadiens, just like the Jets did once they were unable to land Lindholm.”

– Arpon Basu (Canadiens weekly notebook: Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovský remain a match despite it all’– Arpon Basu – The Athletic – 02/19/2024 

It is no secret that Hughes likes the leadership that Savard provides the current lineup of young defenders; however, he is also a GM who knows the value of his players and will make a deal if that value is offered. Hughes has stated he hasn’t been shopping a player in the past, but he still dealt Artturi Lehkonen to the Colorado Avalanche when his price was met.  

Former Canadiens Captain Being Honored 

Canadiens’ 1981 second-round pick, Chris Chelios, will be having his hometown Chicago Blackhawks retire his number seven on 24 February. The Hall of Fame defender began his career with Montreal, winning the Stanley Cup in 1986 and leading the team to the 1989 Cup Final. He was then named captain in 1989-90 before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in return for Denis Savard.  

The early 1990s saw the Blackhawks as a Norris Division powerhouse and one of the strongest teams not to win a Cup in the 1990s. Chelios was the captain for much of that time, and his play there drove their excellent play. He later won two more Cups with the Detroit Red Wings. His career spanned 26 NHL seasons, where he won three Cups and three Norris Trophies, was named to the NHL’s 100 greatest players, was a seven-time All-Star, and was finally named to the Hall of Fame in 2013. While his trade out of Montreal is seen as one of the worst trades a Canadiens GM has made, Chelios is still beloved as a player in la Belle Province and fans in Montreal will be cheering on his addition to Chicago’s Legends. 

Going into the 2024 Trade deadline, Hughes still has the assets contenders need, such as a solid goaltender and veteran defensemen. He is known as a GM who sets a price for his players and won’t make a transaction unless that price is met. The next few weeks will be an important one for the Canadiens. With the NHL playoffs progressing and the NHL Draft fast approaching, the Canadiens’ roster will be facing significant change over the offseason. Keep an eye on our THW Podcast Network for all your hockey needs, as well as THW’s affiliated podcast, Habs Unfiltered, for the latest Canadiens news, notes, and rumors.