The Montreal Canadiens enter the 2026 offseason in a position few expected them to reach so quickly. After an impressive run to the Eastern Conference Final, where they eventually fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games, Montreal’s rebuild appears to be over.
With expectations now much higher, general manager Kent Hughes is expected to look for ways to strengthen the roster this summer. However, one rumored target may be much harder to acquire than many fans hope.
All-Star Trade Rumor Hits a Wall for Montreal Canadiens
Nico Hischier finds himself at the center of speculation this summer. The former All-Star has one year remaining on his seven-year, $50.75 million contract, and uncertainty surrounding his future has fueled trade rumors.
The New Jersey Devils have undergone major changes in recent months, with new general manager Sunny Mehta taking over the front office. Whenever a new GM arrives, speculation naturally follows about whether key players could become available as the organization evaluates its long-term direction.
Still, Canadiens insider Marco D’Amico believes a Hischier trade remains highly unlikely.
“I think a lot of it right now is just the Canadiens weighing the market; who’s available, who’s not available. We’ve talked about 2 Cs, 2 Cs, 2 Cs. Obviously, there’s been a lot of noise around Nico Hischier and what’s going to happen with New Jersey,” D’Amico noted.
“We know that Sunny Mehta is trying to do some surgery over there. It would take something absolutely stunning for him to become available, in my opinion. That’s the pipe dream,” he added.
It’s easy to understand why Montreal fans are intrigued by the idea. Hischier would be an ideal fit for what Kent Hughes appears to be searching for: a proven top-six center who can support Nick Suzuki, win important faceoffs, and help maximize the talent around him.
At 27 years old, Hischier fits perfectly within Montreal’s competitive timeline. He brings strong two-way play, leadership, and consistent offensive production, making him one of the league’s most complete centers.
The challenge is the price.
If the Devils were ever willing to discuss a trade, rival executives expect the asking price to be enormous. Montreal would have to part with premium assets, potentially including top prospect Michael Hage and other young pieces currently viewed as part of the club’s future core.
There is also the matter of Hischier’s contract. The Devils’ captain owns a 10-team no-trade list, giving him some control over any potential destination.
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For now, the idea of Hischier landing in Montreal remains more fantasy than reality. As D’Amico suggested, it would take something truly extraordinary for the Devils to even consider moving their captain, making a trade one of the longest shots of the offseason.
