How Evander Kane Escaped the Clutches of Montreal

July 2

12:36 Habs press conference scheduled at 16:30
https://twitter.com/RenLavoieRDS/status/219877179645894658

13:31 Habs press conference delayed at 17:00
https://twitter.com/RenLavoieRDS/status/219890991732244481

14:45 Carey Price signed
https://twitter.com/RenLavoieRDS/status/219909755274137600

18:11 Jokinen signs with Winnipeg
https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/219961423827185666

~18:30 Disappointed Marc Bergevin at press conference
http://tvasports.ca/video/1717434422001


My guess:
Winnipeg was looking for a #1 offensive center good on the power play
There was only Jokinen on the UFA market fitting that description
Montreal proposed Desharnais + Diaz + 2013 MTL 1st round pick for Evander Kane
Winnipeg rejected the offer and signed Jokinen of the UFA market (thus getting #1 center and keeping Kane)

Montreal's lineup would have been
Pacioretty - Plekanec - Cole
Kane - Gomez - Gionta
Armstrong - Eller - Bourque
Prust - Nokelainen/White - Moen

Gorges - Subban
Markov - Emelin
Kaberle - Bouillon
Weber


On the assumption that the Habs were deemed for another season of misery, the value of the 2013 1st round pick could potentially be overestimated by Winnipeg (or at least it was the objective).
If Calgary had not signed Cervenka out of the blue and/or Hudler was re-signed by Detroit, Calgary would've had no choice but to re-sign Jokinen leaving no #1 center on the UFA market.
Also, if the Jets suspected that getting a deal done with Kane could have been problematic (ie ask for too much money as he is not eligible for arbitration), this could have been a tempting offer.