According to TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun on Insider Trading, the Montreal Canadiens do not intend to move both Joel Armia and David Savard by Friday's trade deadline. It is his understanding that the Habs GM feels trading both would be taking away too much from a team that's in the thick of a fight for the playoffs.
He rightly explains that the Canadiens have already reach their objective for this season which was to be playing meaningful hockey in March and that anything extra from this point on is a Bonus. Signing Jake Evans to an extension was a clear sign not only that Hughes believes in his group, but also that his center line is still a work in progress.
Letting Evans go would have put the GM in a difficult position next season since Kirby Dach hasn't met expectation as a center and his latest injury make it even more likely that the Canadiens will be looking for another second line center in short order.
LeBrun also adds that Hughes would like to make a hockey deal, like he's done in the past when he acquired Dach and a year later Alex Newhook, but that's easier said than done.
As for the fact that Canadiens do not intend to move both Armia and Savard before time runs out, their cap retention situation could also explain it. Unlike Evans, Armia and Savard are making upwards of $3M, which makes them harder to trade, especially without any salary being retained. Since they are still retaining money on Jake Allen and Jeff Petry, the Habs only have one cap retention spot left.
With less than 24 hours to go until the clock strikes midnight and the GMs' dream trades turn into pumpkins, the Canadiens are no set to hold out anyone when they take on the Edmonton Oilers, Armia and Savard will both be playing which probably means that a trade is not imminent.
