Frank Seravalli reported that the Canadiens viewed Kirby Dach as a possible chip to chase Kirill Marchenko, and the timing couldn't be more interesting.
Seravalli wrote that "after paying a significant price to acquire" the center, Montreal wanted "immediate roster help in return."
The alternative was using him "as a chip to chase a bigger fish, like Columbus' Kirill Marchenko."
Saturday only widened the gap between the two. Dach went without a point in 21:21 during a 4-3 loss in Ottawa.
The Columbus winger picked up a power-play assist in 14:03 as the Blue Jackets won 4-2 in Detroit.
Stéphane Waite also said on RDS that the Montreal center didn't register a point in three preseason games.
So can a chip that cold still buy a bigger fish?
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Kent Hughes needs more than Kirby Dach to land Kirill Marchenko
Not on its own. Dach alone won't get it done for a winger with seven reported suitors, from Boston and Toronto to Vegas and Seattle.
Marchenko has 141 points over the last two seasons.
The Canadiens center managed 15 points in 37 games last season.
Their cap hits sit close together, with Dach at $3,600,000 and Marchenko at $3,850,000.
Both deals also expire after this season. One heads for unrestricted free agency, the other for restricted free agency.
Trying to land a scorer with a slumping chip is like trading in a car with the check-engine light on. The dealer will listen, but he's asking for cash too.
A deal would also ease a roster crunch. The Canadiens reportedly have to cut three of David Reinbacher, Adam Engström, Owen Beck and Florian Xhekaj before Monday's deadline.
Rick Bowness' Blue Jackets finished the preseason 3-1-0 and open October 1 against Buffalo. Jet Greaves made 31 saves in Saturday's win.
The Canadiens open Tuesday in Toronto, against a Leafs team that Friedman says has quietly chased Marchenko too.
Seravalli's report explains what Montreal wanted in June. Whether Kent Hughes still believes Dach can get him there is the question heading into opening night.
Should the Canadiens package Kirby Dach in a trade for Kirill Marchenko?
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