The Rangers are definitely not looking to give Lundkvist away, something they've also refused to do with Vitaly Kravtsov. Last season Kravstov didn't make the Rangers NHL roster, and many teams felt his time with the Rangers was likely finished. The Rangers, though, refused to just cast off valuable talent simply to appease the player.
Jeff Gorton, who is now the Executive Vice President of the Canadiens was responsible for drafting both of these players. The familiarity with both players could definitely help the Canadiens in assessing the potential of both players in a possible trade.