What Might a Canadiens–Blues Blockbuster Look Like?
Every once in a while, a trade idea pops up in a comment thread that makes you stop and say, “Well… maybe or maybe not?” That’s what happened today when I saw someone float the idea of a projected trade between the Montreal Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues. The deal is big enough to make both fanbases ask whether this is dream-building or trouble-making.
The Names for the Canadiens and the Blues Are Not Minor
The names weren’t small. Jordan Kyrou. Jordan Binnington. Samuel Montembeault. Oliver Kapanen. And others. In short, there were many moving parts in this potential trade. The considerations also include cap hits and a whole lot of questions from both sides. Each team’s fans will likely ask, “Are you sure about this?”
As I read through the back-and-forth, what struck me wasn’t the trade itself, but how differently people see the Canadiens’ timeline. Some believe this is a team ready to take a swing. Others think Kent Hughes is still doing the foundational work rather than the “win now” work. That’s an important consideration; if their own general manager is doing more careful bricklaying than headline-grabbing, don’t make the trade. That seems simple.
Still, a Canadiens-Blues Trade Is Worth a Quick Look
But let’s dig into the scenario. There is a world — at least theoretically — where the Canadiens might trade Montembeault for Binnington. The contracts both expire at the same time, and the Canadiens have Jakob Dobes and Jacob Fowler on the way. On paper, it’s a lateral move that shifts experience around rather than tearing anything down.
The problem is the other side of that coin: Binnington’s contract is expensive, and his volatility is well-known. Hughes has been meticulous about avoiding dramatic anchors, and you don’t need to squint very hard to see how Binnington could become one.
Kyrou is more interesting. There’s undeniable skill there, and the Canadiens have been linked to him before. But again, he’s big money, long term, and a player whose trajectory hasn’t always matched his cap hit. If Montreal is going to aim high, most people agree Robert Thomas should be the apple of Hughes’ eye, not Kyrou. He's the team-builder’s target.
Still, if the deal had to be Kyrou, one suggestion floated was this:
To St. Louis:
Samuel Montembeault, Oliver Kapanen, Joshua Roy, Filip Mesar, and a mid-round pick.
To Montreal:
Jordan Binnington, Jordan Kyrou, and Pius Suter
Now, that’s a lot of movement both ways. It’s also the kind of offer that gets Habs fans arguing about whether it’s bold or reckless. And, for me, that’s where the conversation should settle. The summer is probably the only time you revisit something of this magnitude. Cap space opens, needs demand clarification, and emotions cool.
Thoughtful Canadiens’ Fans Might Hesitate on This Trade, Blues’ Fans Jump At It
Right now? Most thoughtful Canadiens’ fans say Binnington is a no-go, Kyrou is a maybe-not-now, and the Canadiens might be better off letting Fowler and Dobes grow into the future rather than rushing into someone else’s problem.
Big trades make big headlines. But smart teams know when to wait. This is a trade the Blues would probably make in a heartbeat, but the Canadiens would have to ponder. That, to me, should tell you all you need to know.
Time for the Canadiens to wait and see how their youngsters turn out in a season or two.