NHL Rumors: Canucks & Canadiens Talking Offseason Trade?


As the NHL regular season winds down, the Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens have emerged as potential dance partners in what could shape up to be a significant transaction this offseason.

The crux of the speculation, ignited by Rob Ellis, revolves around a potential blockbuster deal involving promising young forward Kirby Dach and goaltender Cayden Primeau heading north to Vancouver, while Pius Suter, goaltender Arturs Silov, and a mid-round draft pick would be headed to Montreal.

For the Canucks, the allure of acquiring Dach signals a bold move towards immediate contention, despite concerns stemming from his recent knee injury and volatile injury history.

Dach's undeniable talent and potential upside could provide a substantial boost to Vancouver's offensive firepower, aligning perfectly with the team's win-now mentality.

Over his five-year career, the 23-year-old has amassed 33 goals and 99 total points across 212 games played, split between the Chicago Blackhawks and Canadiens. He has yet to play a full NHL season.

The inclusion of goaltending prospect Cayden Primeau adds further intrigue, offering depth and future potential between the pipes.

With the emergence of Sam Montembault, Primeau has potentially become trade bait for Montreal. That being said, the 24-year-old is having the best performance of his NHL career, despite a limited sample size, recording a .913 SV%, 2.75 GAA, two shutouts and an 8-7-2 record across 18 games played.

Conversely, the Canadiens stand to gain from this potential trade by injecting immediate offensive talent into their lineup with Suter's versatile skill set.

Suter has been a very nice addition by the Canucks this season, putting up 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points over 59 games played, along with an impressive +18 plus/minus rating. He's an excellent penalty killer and impactful offensively, possessing an ability to create scoring chances in difficult areas.

While parting with a promising prospect like Dach may pose a tough decision, the emergence of Juraj Slafkovsky softens the blow, potentially mitigating the loss.

Silovs is a very intriguing goalie prospect for the Canucks. The 6-foot-4 netminder holds a .907 SV%, 2.74 GAA, and a strong four shutouts on the season with Vancouver's AHL affiliate.

The 23-year-old not only clinched the MVP title at the 2023 IIHF World Championship but also made a strong debut in the AHL last year. His trajectory suggests that he is on a path to further success.

Acquiring assets such as goaltending prospect Silovs, forward Suter and draft picks could fortify Montreal's rebuild efforts, positioning them well for sustained success in the future. Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports