Breaking: NHL star reportedly wants out, Cup contender willing to part with talented players

Many people believe this may be a good time for the Montreal Canadiens to start a complete rebuild, considering the team will most likely miss the playoffs as it is currently ranked 27th in the NHL, with a record of 23 wins, 29 losses and 8 overtime losses. According to different sources, general manager Marc Bergevin is hoping to trade some of his established veterans in order to rack up as many draft picks as possible. It is fair to believe nobody is safe in Montreal: we have heard countless rumors about Tomas Plekanec, Andrew Shaw, and even about 29-year-old captain Max Pacioretty.

Now according to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman the former 39-goal scorer as requested a trade and wants out of Montreal. Friedman is adamant: it is well known around the league that he doesn't want to stay with the team that drafted him 22nd overall in 2007:

"Max Pacioretty. Lots of questions about whether or not he is staying or going. I think the belief is he wants to go. There were talks with Minnesota, I believe Montreal's ask was Charlie Coyle plus, I don't think the Wild wants to do that so it broke off."

His colleague Nick Kypreos also added that the Habs have been having talks with other teams for a while now, including the Los Angeles Kings who are "pushing hard":

The L.A. Kings are pushing hard now for Pacioretty. We know throughout the last few years always at times there's a goal-scoring issue with the L.A. Kings whether they have enough, of course Jeff Carter back in the lineup tonight is great news. But still, they would like a pure shooter in Pacioretty. We believe the Montreal Canadiens have asked for guys like Tanner Pearson or Tyler Toffoli. I'm not sure if that gets it done, but at least a first-round pick would be out there involved. Perhaps L.A.'s first pick last season, 11th overall, Gabe Vilardi, is out there as well. He might be the piece that gets it done."

This is extremely interesting, especially considering NHL Network's Dennis Bernstein firmly believes there is NO WAY Los Angeles trades Vilardi away, even for an established scorer like Pacioretty:

Kypreos also reported in early February that the Habs want first and a second-round pick, a "warm roster body" and a top prospect for Max Pacioretty. We'll have to wait and see if anybody is willing to pay that much for Patch. In 61 games this season, he recorded 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points. He is currently on pace for a 23-goal season, which would be his lowest amount since the 2010-11 season, excluding the lockout-shortened season.

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