With news that the New York Rangers are willing to move a disgruntled Nils Lundkvist, Marco D’Amico of Montreal Hockey Now writes that the Montreal Canadiens could be a team that shows interest in the defenseman. The Canadiens have had previous conversations with the Rangers about their prospects and GM Kent Hughes could feel Lundkvist is the right fit for them this season.
The Rangers are reportedly trying to trade Lundkvist before training camp starts. He has asked for a change of scenery dating back a couple of months and the Canadiens are looking to add another defenseman. An NHL executive is confirming that the Canadiens have been chatting with the Rangers for weeks now. Patrick Lortie writes, “Habs are said to be high on Nils Lundkvist and would love to poach Vitaly Kravstov as well. Now sure if or how they can pull this kind of trade but let’s keep an eye open.”
The New York Post is also reporting that Rangers general manager Chris Drury “has been working with Lundkvist’s agent, Claude Lemieux, in order to effect a trade to an organization in which the Swede would have a better opportunity to challenge for a top-four spot and role as a power-play quarterback.”
Lundkvist is a former first-round selection (28th) and is a right-handed shot with offensive ability. He’s mobile, can transport the puck, and pass and shoot. The Canadiens have been linked to a couple of blueliners and there are past links between the two franchises as Canadiens executive VP Jeff Gorton was the GM of the Rangers from 2015 to 2020.
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