Insider Trading: Chiarot was part of bigger trade talks with Flames, could be moved soon

TSN Hockey Insiders Darren Dreger, Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun joined host Gino Reda to discuss the trade that didn’t happen between the Flames and Canadiens, what defencemen could be available at the deadline, the Golden Knights’ cap juggling, and more.

The Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames got together and made the biggest deal so far before the trade deadline, but there’s also news of the one that got away.

Darren Dreger: Forward Tyler Toffoli was always the focus from Calgary’s perspective, but there was a willingness to consider a bigger trade involving a defenceman, namely Ben Chiarot. But when you look at how significant that transaction would be from Montreal’s standpoint, they got a haul for Toffoli including a prospect and a first-round draft pick.  So you know Chiarot, as the market unfolds for Montreal, is going to require a first-round draft pick coming back as well.

At that point over the weekend, it got a little bit too rich for the Flames. I do believe that Flames general manager Brad Treliving will try to add a least another depth defenceman and maybe another depth forward.

Pierre LeBrun: The internal debate for the Canadiens now, after they almost dealt Chiarot in the Calgary deal, is how long they drag this out with Chiarot because there’s already sizeable interest with other teams. You name a playoff contender; I believe they’ve phoned. The likes of Florida, Boston, the New York Rangers, St. Louis, among others. The Flames could [also] circle back on Chiarot at some point.

The debate the Habs have is that there was a minor scare for Chiarot over the weekend, what happens if that happens again? Do they decide to take the best offer soon? I believe that could happen within the next seven to 10