The Montreal Canadiens are trying to stay in the playoff race and the team may consider making moves at the trade deadline to add depth to the roster. Andrei Markov is reportedly generating some trade interest on the market and he could be a target to get moved by the Habs.
According to The Fourth Period, league sources have said that Markov has "drawn some interest" from teams as the trading deadline gets closer. The website reports that no deal is close to happening, but that the team could consider moving the long-time Montreal defenseman over the next two weeks. Markov has spent his entire career with the Canadiens, but he will be in the final year of his contract next season and could be a target to get moved.
The Canadiens are reportedly looking to add more depth at the forward position and could consider a deal with Markov. The Fourth Period also reports that Tomas Fleischmann, Dale Weise, and Tom Gilbert could be targets to get moved at the deadline, as those players are heading towards free agency for the Canadiens. Montreal started off the season hot as one of the best teams in the league, but they have slipped out of playoff contention heading into the deadline.
Montreal could consider making some moves to try and play themselves back into the wild card race and players like Weise and Markov could be the main targets. The Fourth Period writes that the Los Angeles Kings could be a potential landing spot for Markov or Gilbert if Montreal makes moves at the deadline.
The team was reportedly interested in Jonathan Drouin in a deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but no trade is close to happening at this time. According to NESN.com, the Canadiens had "serious interest" in Drouin last month, but the price for Drouin was too high for Montreal. The Lightning still may trade Drouin at the deadline, but Montreal appears to be out of the running.
