Insider believes the Canadiens will receive calls about Josh Anderson

The Montreal Canadiens held their annual scouting meetings over the past weekend and it's believed that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have the wheels in motion for which direction they will take the team going forward.

During the Canadiens' recent road trip, Hughes and Gorton met with some players individually including Ben Chiarot, who has been at the forefront of trade rumours for the last few months.

"We met with everybody, starting with Ben Chiarot," Hughes said. "Anybody whose name has been circulating in terms of trade rumours or whatnot, to the extent that we can open the doors for them and say, 'We're here, we don't have answers for you today. We're going to try to improve this team long term. And you may be a player that moves but we wanted you to know if you have questions along the way you can come and see us."

Others in the rumour mill have been Artturi Lehkonen and Jeff Petry, but Pierre LeBrun thinks that the Canadiens will get calls regarding forward Josh Anderson leading up to March 21st's trade deadline. But even if the Canadiens get calls about Anderson, they may want to keep him around for the duration of their potential rebuild.

"Just an example — and this is my example, not Hughes' — but let's take Josh Anderson. The Canadiens are going to get calls on him closer to March 21. He's the type of player whose game has more impact in the playoffs. But, he might also be a player the Canadiens view as being part of the solution in-house, a guy they want to perhaps keep and build around instead of moving on from him,. LeBrun said.

Anderson, 27, is in the second year of a seven-year contract with the Canadiens after they signed him following a trade with Columbus in October 2020. Starting this season, Anderson has a modified no-trade clause, which includes an eight-team no-trade list. His contract sees him earn $5.5 million per season.

In 33 games this season, the Burlington, Ontario native has 16 points (9 goals, 7 assists), 37 penalty minutes and is a minus-18.

Source: Pierre LeBrun - The Athletic.

MUST READ

2 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Angry John Tortorella Calls Out One Flyers Player: Trade is Likely Per Elliotte Friedman

4 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Quinn Hughes Ejected: Suspension May be Coming for the Reigning Norris Winner

5 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Matvei Michkov Stuns With Crazy Quote in Post-Game Interview Following OT Winner

6 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Jeremy Swayman on the Verge of Losing the Starting Role in Boston: His Contract Looks Like a Disaster

9 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Detroit Red Wings Place Massive Six-Foot-Six Forward on Waivers

11 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Connor Bedard's Struggles Prove Chicago Blackhawks are in Dire Need of a Coaching Change

12 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery NHL Analyst Believes Toronto Maple Leafs are Exploring Possible Reunion With Nazem Kadri

14 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery 800-Game NHL Veteran Nick Bonino Signs an Unexpected New Professional Contract

MORE STORIES