Elliotte Friedman reveals the Montreal Canadiens considering trades for three veterans

This news should not come as much of a surprise to many Habs fans given how the season has gone so far. Many fans were hoping that the team would make significant strides this year, but clearly that has not materialized.

Through 15 games, the team remains at the bottom of the Atlantic division with a 4-9-2 record. In fact, the team is tied with the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks for fewest points in the entire NHL.

They also have the worst goal differential at -23, even worse than San Jose's -20.

As recently as a couple of weeks ago, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes was rumored to be shopping for a top-four defenseman and a forward. However, it seems like the season is flying off the rails as we speak which will alter the way Hughes and his staff navigate the rest of the season. Clearly, this is not a team that can expect to make a playoff push. That much is clear even this early in the season.

It seems as though Hughes understands this as his trade goals already appear to be changing.

Just yesterday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that the organization is shopping veteran players Joel Armia, David Savard, and Christian Dvorak. Additionally, enforcer Arber Xhekaj has been a staple in trade rumors this season as well. In fact, the trade interest in Xhekaj goes back to last season.

All three of Dvorak, Armia, and Savard are on expiring contracts, so it would make sense for Hughes to try and move them if not now, at the trade deadline when we have a better idea of the layout of the league.

Certainly, teams heading to the playoffs will be interested in the services all three of them can provide. It is not the situation Kent Hughes was hoping for this year, but he might as well make the most out of a bad situation.

We will just have to see how this all plays out in the coming weeks and months.