The Montreal Canadiens are looking to bolster their offense and make a deeper playoff run.
The Canadiens have been active this offseason, as Montreal acquired Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc in trades. However, Montreal may not be done as Heavy.com has a blockbuster trade idea that has the Canadiens acquiring Jonathan Huberdeau from the Calgary Flames.
Canadiens acquire:
Flames acquire:
- Josh Anderson
- Arber Xhekaj
- Owen Beck
- 2026 second-round pick
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster as Montreal would acquire Huberdeau, who hasn’t lived up to expectations for an NHL forward, an NHL defenseman, a prospect, and a second-round pick. It would be a tough trade for the Canadiens, but Montreal needs to go all-in with its young core as the East is wide open.
The Canadiens would acquire Huberdeau, who’s entering the third year of his eight-year, $84 million deal with the Flames. Huberdeau has struggled with the Flames and could use a change of scenery, and playing for his hometown team could help him. Huberdeau would be a top-six forward for the Canadiens and add some more offense to the lineup. He recorded 28 goals and 34 assists for 62 points in 81 games. His career high is 115 points, but with the Flames, the offense hasn’t been there.
In return, the Canadiens would give up a second-round pick and three players. Anderson would be able to help with the salary. Anderson has two years left on his seven-year, $38.5 million deal.
The Canadiens would also deal two young players in Xhekaj, who’s a young physical defenseman who can be an everyday defenseman for Calgary. Beck, meanwhile, projects to be a bottom-six center in the NHL and could push for NHL minutes with the Flames.
Huberdeau Would Be a Major Get for the Canadiens
If the Canadiens do trade for Huberdeau, he would be a major get for the team.
Huberdeau was a star player for the Florida Panthers and was a big part of the trade that brought Matthew Tkachuk to Florida. Yet, with the Flames, his offense has dipped, and his contract is one of the worst in the NHL, which is why Calgary could look to deal him.
Huberdeau is from Quebec, so perhaps playing closer to home will find that offensive spark again. Meanwhile, he can play alongside Kirby Dach and Ivan Demidov and help set up the Russian star.
Having him on the second line and not having to be the top offensive player on a team could also help Huberdeau thrive. It would be a high-risk, high-reward trade, but one that the Canadiens shoudl pull the trigger on.
Canadiens Could Trade Xhekaj
Xhekaj is a fan-favorite defenseman, but his name has come up in trade rumors.
The Canadiens have some top defensive prospects coming up the system, which could make Xhekaj expendable, according to Eric Engels.
“Between those three guys, right you have, (Mike) Matheson, (Jayden) Struble, and Xhekaj, there’s a good chance that between now and this time next year, one of those guys is not here,” Engels said on The Sick Podcast. “We talked about the depth lower down; we know (Logan) Mailloux had a hard time getting up. We know David Reinbacher is a big part of the future for the Canadiens.”
Xhekaj signed as an undrafted free agent, but could be traded to get some assets back for the Canadiens.
Canadiens Acquire $84M Star Winger in New Blockbuster Trade Pitch