The Daily: Canadiens Can Help Broker Big Trades; Deadline Talk

Montreal Hockey Now’s Marc Dumont writes today that the Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes may end up being the third man in to help broker big deals for the March 8 deadline.

With plenty of  cap space available (more than $13 million in LTIR space), the Canadiens are in a position to take salary in a three-way deal. For example, Adam Henrique’s salary cap hit is $5.85 million. Montreal could help Anaheim move him.

“Adam Henrique is the last top-9 center available on the rental market that could realistically make a difference on a contending team,” Dumont writes. “But he comes at quite the price tag. Even if the Anaheim Ducks were to retain 50% of his salary, that would only reduce his cap hit to $2.912 million; a cost that many contending teams would be unable to fit on their roster without having to trade another player.”

The Habs can step in as the middle man, retaining another half of Henrique’s salary before moving him to his final destination. They could pick up a draft pick, or prospect, for their troubles. The Canadiens have one salary retention remaining they can use.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Michael Rasmussen receives new four-year deal worth $12.8 million
• What the Red Wings rivals are looking to do before the NHL trade deadline,
• Gordie Howe’s last Red Wings jersey fetched almost $75,000 in an auction.

Red Wings Next Game

Red Wings play the Colorado Avalanche Thursday at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit is 12-4-2 since New Year’s Day. The Avalanche beat Vancouver 3-1 Tuesday. It was a mixed night for the Red Wings in the playoff race: the New Jersey Devils lost, but the New York Islanders won.

Hockey Now Network

Calgary: Trevor Neufeld explores the trends that have led to the Calgary Flames on-ice struggles.

Chicago: About Connor Bedard: “Not too often does an 18-year-old come in and have this kind of an impact.” Chicago Blackhawks

Florida: The Florida Panthers are the hottest team, and now they get Aaron Ekblad back on their defense.

Philadelphia: The Winnipeg Jets are scouting the Flyers closely. Jonathan Bailey has some ides about who the Philadelphia Flyers might want. The Jets want defensive help.

Pittsburgh: TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun says teams are interested in acquiring some Pittsburgh Penguins, even beyond Jake Guentzel. Reilly Smith is another target.