Should the Canadiens Sell High on MVP Goalie To Get Their Top Choice Center?

There’s a saying that goes, to get, you have to give. In the NHL, that often comes in the form of moving a star player a team might not want to move to get a player in a position of real need. That’s where a recent trade suggestion comes from, one that includes the Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils.

A recent trade proposal from Bleacher Report’s Adam Gretz suggests a bold idea for the two teams, one that will fill two needs. In the deal, the New Jersey Devils would be acquiring captain Nico Hischier. In return, Montreal would send goaltender Jakub Dobes along with the 28th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

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Some Canadiens fans will look at this idea and immediately dismiss it. It’s hard to blame them given the playoffs Dobes just had as a rookie NHL netminder. ,After a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Final, the team has clearly taken a major step forward and Dobes was arguably the MVP. Montreal was overwhelmed by Carolina, but Dobes was not the reason they lost that series. In fact, he was the lone reason it was as close as it was at points.

However, questions remain about whether the Canadiens have enough down the middle to truly contend for a Stanley Cup. They need another top-six center, and Hischier would immediately address one of the Canadiens’ biggest needs — someone to play behind Nick Suzuki. Hischier is known for his two-way reliability, leadership, and offensive upside, and general manager Kent Hughes has hinted he’d be willing to overpay for that type of player — asusming he comes with an extension.

But Dobes? Really?

Why It’s Not That Far-Fetched

Dobes was instrumental in Montreal’s playoff success and quickly became a fan favorite. Every good thing people are saying about him is warranted. So too, moving him so soon after a breakout postseason would be a controversial decision, especially considering he might just be scratching the surface of what he could become.

What keeps this from being a ridiculous idea is that the Canadiens have another intriguing option in the pipeline. Jacob Fowler is widely viewed as a prospect with even higher upside. The talk about him is that he’s eventually going to be the team’s starting goalie. It’s not really a question of if, but when for many analysts.

What isn’t clear is the when. Is he ready to handle the pressure of a full-time NHL role?

From New Jersey’s perspective, grabbing a future stud goaltender might be worth moving Hischier. Based on the way he played, he would bring immediate help and, if signed to a long-term deal as an RFA, real stability. However, the risk isn’t Montreal’s alone. What Dobes did this season might be a one-off. There is no way to know yet if he can repeat his performance time and time again. He doesn’t have the man games played to guarantee it.

This trade idea is an interesting one. It’s the type that will have people on all sides of the argument. In Montreal, some would say no way to moving Dobes. Others might suggest it’s best to sell high. In New Jersey, some might love the idea of getting a potential star in net. Others might worry he’s unproven, and the cost of Hischier is too high.

Next: Alex Newhook Became One of Montreal’s Most Important Players