Montreal Canadiens acquire Mika Zibanejad in blockbuster trade offer
Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Could the Montreal Canadiens really land Mika Zibanejad? Shayne Gaumond of The Sick Podcast thinks so, and he spelled out what he believes it would take to get the Rangers center to the Bell Centre.
Gaumond made it clear he sees Montreal as a team with the ammunition to chase a high-end veteran. His pitch was short, confident and framed as a hot take:
The Canadiens have plenty to offer - plenty.
I think a package starts with a young, proven NHL forward, a young, proven NHL defenseman, a B-level prospect and draft picks.
That sort of package could land you Mika Zibanejad. That's my hot take, Snake.
I think a package starts with a young, proven NHL forward, a young, proven NHL defenseman, a B-level prospect and draft picks.
That sort of package could land you Mika Zibanejad. That's my hot take, Snake.
What the Canadiens Package Could Look Like
Gaumond's blueprint has four parts: an established young forward, an established young defenseman, a mid-tier prospect and draft picks. Notably, he specified a B-level prospect, which suggests the club's best young talent would stay put.
Montreal has spent several seasons building a deep supply of young players and draft capital, so a multi-piece offer is believable on paper.
A veteran center would also give a young core a proven presence down the middle.
The Obstacle Standing in the Way
The biggest hurdle is not the price. Zibanejad carries a full no-move clause on his contract, which means the Rangers cannot send him anywhere without his approval.
He is signed through the 2029-30 season at an $8.5 million cap hit, so Montreal would also have to be comfortable absorbing that commitment for several years.
Zibanejad has previously stressed that he negotiated that clause for a reason, so any move would hinge on his willingness to waive it.
That does not make Gaumond's idea far-fetched. Zibanejad's name has surfaced in trade talk before, and the right destination could shift his thinking. For Canadiens fans, the idea of adding a proven top-six center is easy to get excited about.
It is only one podcast opinion, and nothing suggests talks are happening. Still, Gaumond's confidence has Montreal fans debating exactly which forward and defenseman would have to go.
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