Ben Chiarot's injury scare could accelerate trade timeline

Montreal Canadiens defenceman has been atop most trade bait boards for weeks, if not months now and it's expected that the 30-year-old will be dealt by March 21st's deadline.

During Saturday afternoon's tilt with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chiarot suffered an injury scare in the second intermission. He went down the tunnel towards the Canadiens' dressing room, but returned a short time later.

Because of the injury scare, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman think trade talks will begin to heat up surrounding Ben Chiarot.

"There was something that happened in that game that made me wonder if we're going to see some traction pick up. Ben Chiarot temporarily left the game, he did come back. Any time you have a player with as much interest as he has, you always worry about something like this. And I think we're all curious to see, does this mean the action is going to pick up on Chiarot. Among the interested teams, St. Louis, Carolina, Rangers, Florida, Los Angeles and Calgary, both of whom might have interest in Tyler Toffoli. So we'll see where this goes, but I think you're going to see a few more calls made on an already popular player," Friedman said during the 32 Thoughts segment on Hockey Night in Canada.

The Hamilton (Ontario) native has appeared in 44 games on the Canadiens' blueline this season, tallying nine points (five goals, four assists), thirty-six penalty minutes and is a minus-twenty-seven.

Source: 32 Thoughts - Hockey Night in Canada.

MUST READ

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

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

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

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

8 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Jordan Reaves Calls Out Darnell Nurse After He Plays the Victim Following Hit From Brother Ryan

21 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Two Maple Leafs Reporters Have Tense Altercation on Mitch Marner's Market Value

22 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Nashville Predators Practice Takes a Nasty Turn as Players Fight On the Ice Due to Mounting Frustration

Nov 22  |  By Tom Banks John Gibson Reportedly Willing to Waive No-Trade Clause for One Specific Team

MORE STORIES