The Canadiens may be looking to make a major splash on trade deadline day, as Montreal's La Presse reports the team is interested in Florida Panthers forward Nathan Horton.
According to the paper, the Habs have roughly $2.5 million in available cap room.
Late last night, the Canadiens shipped right wing Matt D'Agostini to the St. Louis Blues for prospect Aaron Palushaj, freeing up some extra, albeit minimal, salary space.
It's believed the Canadiens are trying to sell off another body, reportedly defenseman Paul Mara, and must also factor in the eventual re-signing for center Tomas Plekanec.
"Other players interest us, but we are tight against our budget," Habs GM Pierre Gauthier told La Presse.
Canadiens head coach Jacques Martin coached Horton, who is rehabbing a broken leg and is expected to return to the ice shortly, when he was in Florida, and the Habs have reportedly been targeting him for several weeks.
Despite Andrei Kostitsyn and Benoit Pouliot returning from injury, and Mike Cammalleri set to return in a couple weeks, the Canadiens are still searching for extra fire power up front.
The Habs have been linked to Columbus Blue Jackets forward Raffi Torres, who will command a second-round draft pick.
La Presse suggests the Canadiens may be dangling the likes of Sergei Kostitsyn and Maxim Lapierre as trade bait.
Files from:
Montreal's La Presse
