Leafs and Habs fighting for same trade target?!

There have been many jokes lately about how humiliating it must be for the Toronto Maple Leafs to be chased by the Montreal Canadiens as only one point separates the two rival clubs in the playoff race. At the start of the season, everyone believed the Leafs would be the top contender, leaving the Habs in the dust, however, Toronto now stands second in the Atlantic division, while the Canadiens are right behind in third place. 

Who would have thought? 

It seems like this isn't the only feud going on between the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens, as both GMs Kyle Dubas and Marc Bergevin seem to be after the same piece ahead of the trade deadline: a top defenseman. 

In his latest 31 Thoughts column on Sportsnet, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that Dubas could be looking the possibility of acquiring blue liner Jake Muzzin of the Los Angeles Kings. It all depends on the asking price. 

"If Dubas chooses a left-handed option, the top target is Jake Muzzin . But he has made it clear to those who have asked that Kasperi Kapanen is a no-go and 2018 first-rounder Rasmus Sandin has similar status."

It has been mentioned several times in trade chatter that Bergevin and the Habs could also be interested in landing Muzzin. The Habs GM has made it clear that he won't mortgage the team's future at the deadline and that the Canadiens’ first round pick specifically would not be on the table, however, Muzzin remains a possible option, despite the Leafs' interest. 

The Kings want a huge haul for him so both teams will need to tread carefully. It would be fun to see the two rival teams battle for Muzzin at the trade deadline approaches. 

However, on Thursday, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun revealed shot down the idea of the Canadiens pursuing a defenceman like Muzzin, who has term left on his deal. The asking price, a first-round pick and a top prospect, is simply too high. 

"One thing for sure that I know Marc Bergevin and his staff have talked about internally is the fact that they can once again try a Joel Armia trade," LeBrun said. "The way they got Joel Armia, simply by having cap space, is something that I believe they've communicated to teams that they're open for business with their cap room. It's smart because they're in a position where it's not like they're the only team that has cap room, but there's a lot of teams in and around them that have cap room for a reason; because they don't want to spend more. 

"The Canadiens are in a place with a lot of teams with cap room, except that they're willing to spend it if it means they can improve their roster. That's something to keep an eye on, if not before February 25, then once again in June."

Is it therefore good news for the Leafs or is the price too high for them as well?

You know how it goes though: things always change and competition grows more intense closer to the trade deadline...