These trade rumours, involving Waddell and the Montreal Canadiens general manager, Kent Hughes, have been circulating for several weeks, especially after the trade that saw Patrik Laine leave Columbus. The established communication between the two GMs could indicate a potential deal.
The names Christian Dvorak and Josh Anderson frequently come up in these discussions. For now, nothing is official, but the Blue Jackets need to add a forward is clear. The Montreal Canadiens could be ideal trade partners with Hughes and Jeff Gorton involved in multiple deals.
Don Waddell is looking for a player with a salary between $3 and $6 million annually, aligning with the Blue Jackets' needs, as they are close to the NHL's salary floor. According to Columbus journalist Aaron Portzline, negotiations are ongoing, although nothing seems imminent at the moment. Waddell is eager to strengthen his team by adding a forward, which could fit well with the Canadiens' situation.
This could be an interesting opportunity for Montreal. Given the recent Laine trade, one might wonder if Waddell regrets acting so quickly, but Laine's trade request limited his options. The next steps in this matter will be closely watched, as they could involve significant player movements for both teams.
POLL | ||
Do you think Don Waddell will make a trade before the beginning of the season? | ||
Yes | 167 | 82.7 % |
No | 35 | 17.3 % |
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