Report: Capitals and Canadiens Involved In Major Trade Talks

NHL insider David Pagnotta recently revealed that the Canadiens and Capitals are talking in an effort to make a trade happen. Two significant players are reportedly involved.

Canadiens Looking To Trade Armia For Mantha

According to Pagnotta, the Canadiens have already asked the Capitals about Mantha. He specifically noted that Joel Armia was part of the discussions which is to be expected as the team has reportedly been trying to move him for some time.

Capitals, Canadiens Look To Trade Projects

Armia and Mantha are both players that could be traded away as cap dumps. Armia has already cleared waivers once this season and spent time in the AHL while Mantha has been playing fourth-line minutes for the caps and is yet to record a point this season. The primary difference between the two players is their contract status.


Mantha represents a short-term issue as he has just one year left at his current 5.7 million dollar cap hit. Armia comes with a lower cap hit of just 3.4 million, but is under contract for another season after this one. This is essentially a situation where teams would be trading a short-term problem for a slightly longer term one. It would certainly make sense for the rebuilding Habs and the Capitals seem invested in doing everything they can to stay competitive as long as Ovechkin is on the roster. A little extra cap space this year could help.


As seen on Major: a trade between the Canadiens and Capitals