Rumors of a massive trade between the Habs and Penguins.

Over the week-end Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos touched on the fact that after a very poor start to the regular season, the Montreal Canadiens organization may be looking at some very serious changes in terms of on-ice personnel.

According to Kypreos both owner Geoff Molson and general manager Marc Bergevin have come to the conclusion that their current group of players is not good enough to contend consistently season to season, and that could mean significant roster movement.

“There’s a sense that there might be a meeting of the minds between ownership and [general manager] Marc Bergevin and that this core group is not good enough to build around moving forward,” Kypreos said on Hockey Night in Canada during Saturday’s Headlines segment, which aired just before the Canadiens suffered a dreadful 6-0 loss.

“We throw out the terms ‘rebuild,’ ‘reset,’ ‘retool,’ but there is a sense that Montreal will be leaning toward this.”

While Kypreos himself didn't make any mention of what players the Canadiens could potentially have on the trading block, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman has touched on one potential trade that would truly be a blockbuster deal.

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From Friedman's 31 Thoughts:

I could see Pittsburgh, which wanted Matt Duchene, keeping an eye on Max Pacioretty — if he becomes available.

Needless to say the Canadiens would want a big return if they did in fact give up their captain, however the fact that they may be looking for a more long-term solution could make this an easier fit. With the Penguins clearly still viewing themselves as contenders for the Cup, they would likely be much more comfortable giving up picks or prospects to bolster their forwards with a player like Pacioretty. 

Friedman himself did not opt to opine on what the Canadiens could possibility seek in return for such a trade. If the Canadiens did send the Penguins their captain, what kind of return would you expect them to get? 

Update: The Canadiens just made a trade that appears to support the theory put forward by Krpreos.