Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin could have easily acquired Colorado Avalanche winger P.A. Parenteau, but instead had his eye on a different forward.

The Habs GM rejected an offer from the Avalanche to swap winger Rene Bourque, 32, for Parenteau, 30, but QMI Agency has learned the true object of Bergevin’s desire is 25-year-old Jamie McGinn.

So far, the Avs have refused to give up McGinn, but negotiations between the clubs is ongoing.

McGinn has 12 goals and seven assists in 49 games this season. He comes with a salary cap hit of $1.75 million and will be a restricted free agent at season’s end.

The Avs were willing to cover some of Parenteau’s $4 million salary when offering the left winger, but Montreal didn’t budge.

Parenteau has nine goals and 17 assists in 41 games this season. Bourque has seven goals and one assist in 39 games heading into Wednesday night’s action and has a cap hit of $3.3 million. Both of their contracts run through the 2015-16 season.