Jakub Dobes among two Canadiens players named in blockbuster trade proposal with Winnipeg Jets
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The Canadiens have reasons to pass on that deal, especially with Jacob Fowler showing promise and Samuel Montembeault still an option. Montreal has more pressing needs elsewhere.
That doesn’t mean Kent Hughes wouldn’t be willing to trade Dobes for a second-line center, for example. Far from it.
Kramer originally floated the idea just for fun, as he acknowledged himself.
Why the Canadiens should prioritize a second-line center over a trade for Connor Hellebuyck
Under the proposal, the Canadiens would acquire Hellebuyck, who carries an $8.5 million cap hit, in exchange for Dobes, at $965,000, and Kaiden Guhle, at $5.55 million. The difference would be roughly $2 million.
The timing explains why the discussion is making the rounds again.
Jakub Dobes has an .842 save percentage through four starts, compared to Fowler’s .906 through three games.
Guhle, 24, has just returned to the blue line, while Mike Matheson remains day-to-day. Losing a defenseman of Guhle’s caliber at the same time would be a risky move.
Montreal’s needs are more obvious elsewhere. Alex Newhook, playing second-line center, has four points in seven games with a -2 rating, and adding a legitimate second-line center would help more than bringing in another goaltender.
The Canadiens also sit at 3-3-1 and still have Montembeault in the picture. His expected return only makes the discussion more complicated.
An entertaining trade proposal, but the Canadiens have much bigger needs to address.
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Jakub Dobes among two Canadiens players named in blockbuster trade proposal with Winnipeg Jets
Would you trade Jakub Dobes and Kaiden Guhle to Winnipeg for Connor Hellebuyck?