Imminent divorce between Habs and Jeff Petry!

We know for a while that defenseman Jeff Petry’s time with the Montreal Canadiens is coming to an end. There were reports that he demanded a trade out of Montreal and that some contenders called in to show some interest.

The veteran blue liner is in the midst of an absolutely BRUTAL season both personally for himself and for the team as a whole. He has just two goals and seven points in 41 games after putting up 40+ points for four consecutive seasons. He managed 12 goals and 42 points in just 55 games last season! But in 2021-22, it is clear that Petry has lost his confidence and, ultimately, his spot on this team. With the Habs looking to rebuilding under new management and with Petry still left with three years on a deal that pays him $6.25 million it’s clear that there’s no longer a fit for him in Montreal.

And new GM Kent Hughes made that abundantly clear during his press conference on Wednesday morning, basically proving that the divorce papers were on the table, they just need the signatures at the bottom.

That’s because Hughes is still looking for a proper return for Petry, though this is how he put it during the presser:

"Jeff Petry, if we can find a trade that works for us and another team, we're going to do it. But it has to work."

And so, while it feels like Ben Chiarot is almost sure to leave Montreal, the same can be said about Petry.
It’s a matter of time ahead of the March 21st deadline.

When you look at him on paper, Petry is nearly 35 years old and has been absolutely AWFUL this season and he’s got three more years at a big cap hit left. But it sounds like teams are inquiring, and Hughes will attempt to complete a trade.