NHL Trade Rumors: Montreal Canadiens could make bold $50.75M move for playmaker resembling Nick Suzuki profile

The Montreal Canadiens are still fighting through the Eastern Conference Final, but the noise around their offseason plans is already getting louder. After a painful 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 pushed Montreal behind 2-1 in the series, attention quickly shifted toward a potential blockbuster target. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun has connected Montreal to New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier, whose seven-year, $50.75 million contract has suddenly become a major talking point around the league. While no deal appears close, league insiders believe Montreal could be one of the strongest fits if New Jersey opens the door to conversations this summer.Montreal has emerged as the team most strongly tied to Hischier, largely because of its long-term need down the middle. Even during a surprising playoff run, the Canadiens have lacked proven center depth behind captain Nick Suzuki. Adding another elite two-way center could immediately change the structure of the lineup.From a roster standpoint, the move makes sense. Hischier scored 28 goals and recorded 66 points in 81 games this season while continuing to handle difficult defensive assignments nightly. Montreal’s young core has developed quicker than expected, and management may now feel pressure to accelerate the rebuild instead of waiting patiently for prospects to mature.Around the league, the speculation is tied less to Hischier’s performance and more to New Jersey’s bigger picture. The Devils are entering an important stretch financially, with future contract decisions looming across the roster. Front-office pressure to maximize the current championship window has also fueled outside discussion about bold changes.LeBrun framed the fit in simple terms.“Would there be a better fit than the Montreal Canadiens? Hischier is basically the left-handed Nick Suzuki. Imagine those two guys 1-2 down the middle. It’s the exact hole in the Canadiens’ lineup that needs addressing. There’s no doubt that Montreal would be among the interested parties if and when Hischier became available,” LeBrun reported.At this stage, there is still uncertainty about whether New Jersey genuinely wants to move its captain. But insiders continue to point out that Montreal owns the combination every rebuilding contender needs for a major trade: cap flexibility, young talent, and movable assets.Hischier becomes extension-eligible on July 1 and still carries a modified no-trade clause that allows him to block deals to 10 teams. That protection limits flexibility somewhat, though Montreal would likely be viewed as an attractive destination given its rising trajectory.Financially, the Canadiens are in a healthier position than many contenders. Patrik Laine’s $8.7 million cap hit coming off the books creates room for management to pursue aggressive upgrades. Possible trade pieces could include Kirby Dach, Oliver Kapanen, Arber Xhekaj, or Jayden Struble.For Montreal, adding Hischier would immediately strengthen its Stanley Cup outlook. A Suzuki-Hischier center combination would give the Canadiens matchup flexibility that few Eastern Conference teams can counter. It would also ease pressure on younger forwards still adjusting to playoff hockey.The bigger question is what New Jersey would want in return. Montreal’s goaltending depth could become part of the discussion, especially with Jakub Dobeš and prospect Jacob Fowler rising quickly. That could make Samuel Montembeault expendable in the right package.Montreal’s playoff surge has already changed expectations around the organization. Now the focus shifts to whether general manager Kent Hughes believes the Canadiens are ready for a major swing.