Several teams looking to acquire Artturi Lehkonen

I think it's safe to say the Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is open for business. The Canadiens announced that defenceman Jeff Petry has asked for a trade today.

Hughes has been looking to move pending UFA defenceman Ben Chiarot. On top of that, sources say the Canadiens have been receiving calls on the availably of forward Artturi Lehkonen.

It was reported last week that the New York Rangers were interested in bringing Lehkonen to the Big Apple ahead of the NHL's trade deadline.

TVA Sports reports that Chris Drury has called Jeff Gorton before Kent Hughes was hired on the availability of Lehkonen.

Lehkonen is currently playing on a one-year, $2.3 million contract and is a pending UFA at the end of the season.

Lehkonen was a key piece of the Canadiens shutdown unit during last year's run to the Stanley Cup Final, including scoring the series clincher for the Canadiens in Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

It's believed that the St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers, and Calgary Flames are also interested in Lehkonen as well as Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois has shown interest as the forward's value keeps improving closer to the trade deadline.