The Montreal Canadiens have used a rotating cast of forwards to begin the 2022-23 season, and it appears the team is ready to deal with their logjam up front.
"The Habs have reached out to several clubs around the NHL trying to create a trade market for their glut of forwards," TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Thursday's "Insider Trading" segment. "Whether that's Evgenii Dadonov or Jonathan Drouin or Mike Hoffman and beyond, the Habs have too many guys up front.
"Certainly, Montreal is looking to make a move."
Montreal acquired Dadonov from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Shea Weber's contract in the offseason. The 33-year-old hasn't recorded a point in eight games with the Canadiens and has one year remaining on his contract with a $5-million cap hit. Dadonov was recently placed on injured reserve and is eligible to return to the lineup Tuesday.
The Habs notably scratched Drouin from the season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old has two assists in eight contests this campaign and has one year left on his contract with a $5.5-million cap hit.
Hoffman, 32, has tallied one goal and two points in nine games. He has two years remaining with a cap hit of $4.5 million.
Despite their multimillion-dollar cap hits, Dadonov, Drouin, and Hoffman have all spent time in the press box as healthy scratches this season.
The Canadiens sit seventh in the Atlantic Division with a 5-5-1 record. They face the Golden Knights at home on Saturday night.
