The Montreal Canadiens are already the best team in the Eastern Conference. Just look at the standings - seriously, go ahead, I'll give you a minute.
Ok, now that you're back, the Habs, riding a 7-2-1 run, have pushed themselves to the top of the standings via stingy defensive play and Carey Price's nightly heroic efforts in net.
While the Canadiens may be the best team in the East and already assured a playoff spot, GM Marc Bergevin remains a restless man - possibly because his team lacks consistent scoring and gives up too many shots.
According to various NHL trade rumors, Bergevin continues to eye a number of the NHL's more woe begotten teams in an effort to poach some quality hockey talent to shore up his roster for the playoffs and beyond.
"Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin and his staff have been scouting several teams lately, including the Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers and rival Toronto Maple Leafs," reveals a report from The Fourth Period.
"The Habs have been keeping a close eye on the Leafs for the last few weeks, and speculation is starting to run wild over whom the two teams are discussing."
With a history that includes nabbing Thomas Vanek from the Islanders last season and acquiring Michael Ryder in 2013, there is a league-wide assumption that Bergevin will get something done ahead of the deadline.
"That's why there's growing anticipation Bergevin could pull off a significant move or two by this season's trade deadline. It's rumored he's in the market for a scoring forward and a top-four defenseman," writes Lyle Richardson of The Hockey News.
It has been reported previously that Bergevin has shown interest in Coyotes center Antoine Vermette, though he's a pending unrestricted free agent and Bergevin is rumored to be interested in players with term.
Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle is another player the two teams have discussed, but TFP discloses nothing other than that the two sides have talked.
The Habs have shown interest in both Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov of the Oilers, but the asking price from Edmonton GM Craig MacTavish may be too steep at the moment.
When it comes to the Leafs, the Habs interest had been in Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli, two players Toronto recently traded. Daniel Winnik is a name that continually pops up in trade rumors, though nothing concerning the Habs and Bergevin.
Leafs GM Dave Nonis, per TFP, is interested in acquiring either or both of Michael Bournival and Christian Thomas.
Bergevin, according to a report from TSN's Bob McKenzie, made Lars Eller and Alexei Emelin available in order to see a trade come to fruition.
