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NHL Trade Rumors: Montreal Canadiens involved in Erik Karlsson trade?

By Dave Stevenson

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) waits for a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on February 17, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) waits for a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on February 17, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Could the Montreal Canadiens be involved in an Erik Karlsson trade? The latest NHL trade rumors suggest it might be so.

The Ottawa Senators season has had a ton of shenanigans. Not only are they close to the bottom of the standings merely months after a Cinderella run to the Eastern Conference Finals, they’ve been involved in some wacky trades. The Senators have been a part of both of the three-team trades so far this season.

If the latest NHL trade rumors are true and they’re going to part ways with captain Erik Karlsson, it stands to gain that trade could get ridiculous too. No NHL team loves being silly and ridiculous more than the Montreal Canadiens.

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TSN’s Travis Yost is reporting the Habs could facilitate Karlsson and turn the move into a three-way trade. This would be similar to the Vegas Golden Knights’ role in the Brassard trade, though the Canadiens would hope to get more out of it than they did.

Why would the Habs get involved in the Karlsson trade? Perhaps it’s because the Tampa Bay Lightning are the favorites to land him.

The Canadiens might be trying to keep him away from the Bolts, although it’s worth noting they had no issues trading young defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to them.

Montreal needs to rebuild and get younger (and better) players. If the Habs play their cards right, facilitating a Karlsson trade could help them with that.

However, one would have to think the Canadiens would only get involved if the trade happens by Monday, Feb. 26’s trade deadline. Once the offseason begins, teams have time to clear the cap space required to get Karlsson. This would put Montreal’s place in the deal in jeopardy.

But even if the trade takes place in the offseason, there’s still one way the Canadiens could get involved. The Senators would like whoever gets Karlsson to take on Bobby Ryan’s contract. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s an option Ottawa has been looking into.

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Montreal certainly has the cap space to keep Ryan on the roster. And surely teams would be willing to reward them for doing so. If the Canadiens are truly embracing a rebuild, their cap space could become an asset if it’s used properly. This would be a good example of using it wisely.

For all your NHL Trade Rumors needs, be sure to check out our Rumors page and our NHL Trade Deadline Tracker.

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