Report: Canadiens Reached Out To Capitals About Trade Possibilities

The Washington Capitals find themselves in a tough, but unfortunately familiar, situation as they deal with a myriad of injuries across the board. Right now, they’re not pressing the panic button, but that hasn’t stopped Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes from reaching out to the club.

Per The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Hughes has been working the phones and reached out to Washington about a potential trade.

“Certainly, on paper, you can see why the two teams want to talk, LeBrun said on TSN’s Insider Trading. “And I’m told there has been communication with the Habs.”

The Canadiens are reportedly looking to move a forward and have “too many guys up front,” including Jonathan Drouin, Evgenii Dadonov and Mike Hoffman. Right now, Washington is down six forwards, including four top-6 forwards in Nicklas Backstrom (hip resurfacing surgery), Tom Wilson (ACL surgery), T.J. Oshie (lower-body) and Connor Brown (ACL surgery), a top penalty killer in Carl Hagelin (hip surgery) and a replacement player in Beck Malenstyn (upper-body). The team is also out a No. 1 defenseman in John Carlson (lower-body). Considering the situation, it’s no secret why Montreal could see a great partner in Washington.

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However, right now, the Capitals aren’t ready to make any moves or outsource to solve their injury woes. Instead, they want to test their depth.

“For now, Washington is intent on looking at their internal options,” LeBrun added. “Whether that’s Connor McMichael or Sonny Milano they just signed. For now, Washington wants to look at that.”

After placing Carlson, Oshie and Malenstyn on the IR and Brown on the LTIR on Wednesday, the club called up Milano, Garrett Pilon and Lucas Johansen from the AHL’s Hershey Bears to help fill the void. McMichael and Joe Snively, the extras who made the opening night roster, are getting a look against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.

The Canadiens have also been in contact with other clubs. And, while the Capitals may eventually reconsider a deal later on depending on how things go, nothing looks imminent. At least not right now.