The Montreal Canadiens did look into trading defenseman Jeff Petry prior to the expiry of this year’s NHL Trade Deadline. A player who had made it well known he’d like to be moved, the Canadiens were open to making a deal, but only if the circumstances were right. Ultimately, they must not have been because Petry stayed put and he’ll play that last few months of the season on a team he’s hoping no longer to play for.
New Canadiens’ general manager Kent Hughes spoke about how things played out with Petry after the deadline passed and said he held conversations with the player about the process and how likely it would be that a trade would come to fruition. Saying he talked to Petry and let him know he would try to accommodate the defenseman’s request, but that teams were not interested in taking on his long-ter and expensive contract, he probably shouldn’t get his hopes up. It sounds like the Canadiens will try again in the offseason, but again, Petry will have to understand that many teams don’t have the salary-cap space to add a player like Petry.
So Now What?
Petry will play out his season with the Canadiens and the Habs are well aware they are not likely to be a playoff team. The onus will fall on the defenseman to try and make himself as attractive an option for other clubs as possible. That means playing the best hockey he’s played in some time.
When Hughes was asked how Petry might respond to his request not being realized, the GM told Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette:
“I think he’s been a longtime NHL player, he’s a pro. We’re not playing in the playoffs at this point — I don’t know if we’re mathematically eliminated yet, but we’re comfortable that we’re not going to play. So he’s got whatever it is, five weeks left in the season, and he’ll be able to return and join his family.”
If the club can make a trade, they’ll try. Hughes said the last thing he told Petry, “If it happens, it happens. We value you as a player here in this organization. We’re not looking to trade you, but we understand the circumstances. So if we can do it, we’ll do it. But I don’t want you to have any false expectations going in.’”
That pertained to the trade deadline, but Petry should probably know that pertains to the offseason as well.
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