The Montreal Canadiens could sure use a second-line center for the 2025-26 season. Evgeny Kuznetzov was recently ruled out, leaving that spot to Kirby Dach to win or lose all on his own. However, a new report suggests that there is a “chance” that a generational talent becomes available by the trade deadline.
Heavy.com has proposed a trade that would see the Canadiens acquire one of the best players to ever play the game, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Canadiens Acquire:
- Sidney Crosby ($8.7 million)
Penguins Acquire:
- Patrik Laine ($8.7 million)
- Kirby Dach ($3.36 million)
- Owen Beck ($853,333)
- 2026 1st round pick
- 2027 2nd round pick
To call this trade idea a blockbuster would be the understatement of the offseason. The Canadiens acquire one of the best players to ever suit up in the NHL. The Penguins get well compensated for their troubles by adding two top-six forwards, a great prospect, and two high-value draft picks.
By adding Crosby, 38, to their roster, this trade proposal would solve the team’s second-line center problems until Michael Hage is ready for NHL action. The 5-foot-11, 200 lb center is coming off his third straight 90+ point season, recording 33 goals and 58 assists while playing 20:22 per game.
In return, Patrik Laine, 27, heads to the Penguins. The second overall Winnipeg Jets draft pick from 2016 brings good size with a 6-foot-4, 208 lb frame. Last season, he recorded 33 points in 52 games.
This proposal also sees the Penguins add Kirby Dach, 24, to their team. The 6-foot-4, 221 lb forward was selected third overall in 2019 by the Chicago Blackhawks. He had 22 points in 57 games last year.
Never Say Never When it Comes to Sidney Crosby & The Canadiens
The hardest part of any Crosby trade would be making sure he goes to the team he desires. Of all the teams out there, the Canadiens are at the top of the list.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic published an interview he had with Crosby at the NHL/NHLPA Media Tour.
“Growing up a Montreal fan and being from not too far from there, I understand how passionate they are,” LeBrun wrote of Crosby’s response to one of his questions. “You know whether it’s those experiences or guys that I’ve played with that have played there, or playing there in the playoffs or 4 Nations, I get it. It doesn’t make it any easier when you’re losing to hear those things.”
“But at the same time, to know that a team like that wants you, it’s not the end of the world. It could be worse.”
Cutting Dach Makes The Most Sense
As far as the Canadiens and Dach goes, a lot is riding on his success this season. However, they can cut to the chase by including him in a deal to acquire Crosby.
“The Canadiens are putting a lot of hope in Dach to see how he starts the season,” Marco D’Amico of RG wrote on September 1. “If he starts the season — and, should it not work, they’ll reassess like they did last December.”
With Dach’s injury history and how his recovery has gone to date, he makes the most sense to send out in any transaction for an established center. Sure, he still has potential because of his age. At some point, the Canadiens need to take the right kind of risk to improve their forward group.
This kind of move is the bold transaction that the Canadiens need to propell them deep into the playoff picture.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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