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Montreal has received trade calls for Nathan Beaulieu

Winnipeg Jets v Montreal Canadiens

Nathan Beaulieu

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Say this about the Habs -- they’re never boring.

Before the club even began training camp, another player’s name has surfaced in trade talks: Nathan Beaulieu, the defenseman taken 17th overall at the 2011 draft.

In an interview with RDS, Montreal GM Marc Bergevin said that he has received calls about the 23-year-old rearguard, adding “it’s my job to listen.”

That mantra, you’ll recall, is almost exactly what Bergevin said this summer when addressing P.K. Subban trade rumors.

And those, of course, ended with the blockbuster deal to Nashville for Shea Weber.

Beaulieu doesn’t have the same cache as Subban, but would still fetch a nice return on the open market. He had a pretty solid campaign last year, matching a career-high in games played (64) while establishing a career-high in points, with 19.

A quality skater, Beaulieu is also a good puck mover that can man the point on the power play, so there’s no denying that clubs would be interested in acquiring him.

And from the Montreal perspective, there have been rumblings that prized draftee Mikhail Sergachev -- taken ninth overall at this year’s draft, the second d-man off the board -- could make the leap to the NHL this year, which would fill the Beaulieu void.

As for what the Habs want in return? Well, the left wing position is pretty thin behind captain Max Pacioretty: Andrew Shaw, Phillip Danault and Daniel Carr round out the depth chart. A scoring LW would (presumably) be the return price.

Like we said, never a dull moment in Montreal.