NHL trade rumors: Pierre LeBrun says Metro team have "already kicked tires" on $5,100,000 Montreal Canadiens forward

According to the reports from TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the New Jersey Devils are one of the teams that have already expressed an interest in acquiring Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans.

LeBrun revealed this information during Thursday's "Early Trading" segment on TSN, stating that the Devils are in the market for a center to bolster their forward depth ahead of the March 7th trade deadline.

“The tough part will be this because Jake Evans only makes $1.7 million. I know there are a lot of cup contenders that are circling his name and are waiting to see how Montreal plays that situation out,” LeBrun said.

“For example, the Devils, I’m told, are among the teams that have already kicked tires on Jake Evans. The Devils are looking for a center.”

The Devils have over $2.4 million in salary cap space and can accommodate $1.7 million cap hit of Evans, who is in the final year of a three-year, $5.1 million contract.

While the Montreal Canadiens have reportedly started contract discussions with Evans' agent about a potential extension, the team is also listening to trade inquiries for the 28-year-old forward. Evans currently ranks 8th on The Fourth Period's Trade Watch List.

In 40 games this season, Evans has tallied 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points, making him an intriguing target for the Devils as they look to improve their center depth and bolster their playoff push in the Metropolitan Division.

Insight into Montreal Canadiens' trade deadline strategy

Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is in no rush to make any drastic moves as per analyst Dennis Bernstein. The Canadiens are in the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference after winning eight of the last ten games, making it a delicate balance between buying and selling.

“Do you really want to take anybody off the team right now?” Bernstein said (per athlonsports.com). “I don’t think Kent Hughes is in a sell mindset. The team’s right there, and you look around — anything can happen.

Ultimately, the Canadiens' trade deadline strategy will hinge on how the team performs in the coming weeks.

If they can maintain their spot in the playoff picture, Hughes may hold tight and see if this squad can make a postseason run. But if the bottom falls out, then the GM will have to seriously consider moving some pieces for future assets.