DAILY RUMORS: Shooting down the notion of the Canadiens trading for Martin Havlat

The Montreal Canadiens have found themselves mired in a horrific slump since early December, dropping nine of twelve games entering the first week of January.

Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier wasted little time hitting the trade market to address the problem, acquiring offensive-minded blueliner James Wisniewski from the Islanders and shipping unhappy checking forward Maxim Lapierre to Anaheim.

It’s believed Gauthier however might not be done dealing as his club’s offensive production has dried up during that slump, managing only 15 goals.

The Fourth Period recently reported the Canadiens “were linked to Minnesota Wild right wing Martin Havlat, who is under contract for four more seasons beyond this year”, also noting Havlat has a “no-trade” clause and adding it was “unclear, at this stage, if the Wild has any interest in moving him”.

I fail to see how it would be unclear if the Wild had any interest in getting out from under a contract for an over-paid, injury-prone 29-year-old winger. If the Canadiens or any other club were seriously interested in acquiring Havlat the Wild’s management would be all over that one.

Havlat is a talented winger but his injury history makes him a risky pickup for any team. Considering his current contract – with its “no-trade” clause -  expires when he’s 34 plus the fact the Habs currently cannot afford to acquire anyone carrying an expensive deal like Havlat’s the possibility he’ll be going to Montreal by the trade deadline appears remote.