Huge trade involving James van Riemsdyk almost went down

It's been a few weeks since the trade deadline now, but some very interesting news has resurfaces about a potential trade at the deadline involving James van Riemsdyk and the Montreal Canadiens.

As reported by Eric Engels and Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Chuck Fletcher and Kent Hughes of the Montreal Canadiens almost made a deal involving JVR and Jeff Petry.

It's been well known that Petry has requested a trade out of Montreal and that JVR is no longer welcome at Wells Fargo. The pair would have had offsetting contracts and could have potentially combined for a deal that made sense for both parties.

Note, all this was happening before Fletcher inked Rasmus Ristolainen to that monster five-year, $25.5-million deal.



Some people have commented that perhaps Morgan Frost or Isaac Ratcliffe would have been the chosen ones to sacrifice to rid of van Riemsdyk's contract.

JVR has 20 goals in 74 games, not at all worth his pay check.

If the Habs retained 1 million, then Petry would cost 5.25 million for 3 more years opening around 1.75 million in cap relief for the Flyers.

Petry, 34 is having an off year with only 18 points in 61 games thus far. However, the general consesnus is that he is a much better player than this year suggests and might I add better that Ristolainen or Ellis.

According to Engels, both teams denied talks took place but that could just be them calling a bluff. Petry does however have a 15 team no trade list which Philly is allegedly on. With both players desperate to move, don't be surprised if this topic comes up again at the draft or later this summer.

Credit: Sportsnet