Kent Hughes, general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, seems ready to play all his cards to try to improve the situation of his team, currently in 29th place in the general NHL rankings.
With a disappointing core and several expiring contracts on his roster, Hughes knows he has to be creative to free up space on his payroll and maximize the value of his assets.
Among the teams Hughes is talking to, the Los Angeles Kings, where Marc Bergevin serves as assistant general manager, occupy an intriguing spot.
Hughes could try to take advantage of Bergevin’s presence to “pass a lemon”, and Joel Armia seems to be the centerpiece of this strategy.
Armia, often criticized in Montreal for his inconsistency and his heavy contract ($3.4 million per season), could find a buyer in Los Angeles thanks to his long-time admirer, Marc Bergevin.
During his time at the helm of the Canadiens, Bergevin signed Armia to a four-year contract at a salary of $3.5 million, convinced of his potential as an effective support forward.
Now that the Kings look to solidify their offensive depth for a potential playoff push, Hughes could exploit Bergevin’s nostalgia for Armia to orchestrate a trade.
If Armia seems a logical candidate for the Kings, Christian Dvorak and Jake Evans do not fit their needs.
With Phil Danault already well established as a leading defensive center, the Kings have no interest in adding another player with a similar profile.
Dvorak, with his contract that includes a no-trade clause to eight teams, and Evans, another defensive-oriented center, do not represent solutions adapted to the Californian team.
The transaction market this season is complex. Hughes must juggle several factors:
Montreal has five attackers at the end of their contract (Armia, Dvorak, Evans, Michael Pezzetta and Lucas Condotta). Among them, Armia and Dvorak are the most likely to leave before the March 7 deadline.
If David Savard attracts covetousness thanks to his experience and his defensive role, Armia is a player whose value is more difficult to assess.
Although he has an imposing physique and some offensive flair, his inconsistency makes him a risky bet for potential buyers.
The Kings have limited space under the salary cap. To facilitate a trade, Hughes will likely have to retain part of Armia’s salary or include another asset to make the deal attractive.
In addition to the Kings, Hughes has been linked to the Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers. However, the needs of these teams vary:
Anaheim: In reconstruction, they could look for a veteran to mentor their young players, but Armia or Dvorak seem unlikely to be compatible with their long-term vision. A young veteran like Jake Evans is enticing for them.
Pittsburgh: The Penguins were in “all for the playoffs” mode with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but now that they are heading to the cellar, they will begin a rebuild. Lacking right-handed defenders, Logan Mailloux is clearly in their sights.
Edmonton: Already active in their quest for a defender like David Savard, the Oilers probably do not have the financial room to add a player like Armia or Dvorak without major adjustments. They remain indeed the favorites for Savard.
With Marc Bergevin among the Kings’ decision-makers, Hughes has a unique opportunity. Bergevin knows Armia well and could be persuaded to give him a second chance in a different environment.
However, this strategy relies on Hughes’ ability to construct a compelling argument, while masking Armia’s shortcomings.
For the Kings, getting a player like Armia could stabilize their offensive depth.
Kent Hughes knows he’s playing big. If the Kings take the bait, he could free up a problematic contract while boosting his team’s prospects moving forward.
But if the trade fails, the pressure will only increase, especially if other teams hesitate to invest in players considered secondary by the Canadian.
Until then, Hughes will continue to “fly the phones” hoping to find the right formula.
Pass a lemon to Marc Bergevin? This wouldn’t be the first time a CEO has attempted a bold move to take advantage of an old connection.
For Joel Armia and the Canadiens, the next few weeks could well be decisive.
