It seems that we are approaching the midway point of the NHL season, and March 8 is quickly approaching. In exactly two months, teams will no longer be able to make trades to improve their playoff prospects.
Of course, transactions will still be possible, but players acquired after that date won't be eligible to help their new teams during the postseason. Such late-season trades are therefore much rarer, typically involving minor moves.
For the Canadiens, the name on everyone's lips is Sean Monahan. The forward is drawing interest from several teams because of his versatility, and he doesn't pose a risk with his salary and contract duration.
Vesalainen is a big left winger currently playing in Liiga in Finland. Although he hasn't played in North America since the 2021-22 season, he remains a promising prospect, as evidenced by his statistics in Liiga.
However, at 24 years old, it appears more like an exchange of the player's rights. Sean Monahan is clearly worth more than a second-round pick and the rights to another player. If this trade indeed materializes, Hughes will need to secure some assurances.