Hischier best – With the Montreal Canadiens reaching the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in five years, attention is already turning to the next offseason. Nico Hischier—an under-contract New Jersey Devils captain entering the final year—has been flagged as the Ca
The Canadiens didn’t just improve in 2025-26—they climbed to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in five years. It’s a statement season for a team that’s been building toward something bigger. and now the work shifts again. Montreal is heading into another critical offseason with one clear idea in mind: if they’re going to start talking like real Stanley Cup contenders. they’ll need to keep adding.
General manager Kent Hughes is expected to explore every avenue available to improve the roster as the Canadiens move closer to legitimate contention. And as that window opens, one name keeps floating to the surface across the league’s trade market: New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier.
Hischier is 27 years old and is entering the final season of his contract. The Devils have already opened discussions on an extension, but no agreement appears imminent. That uncertainty is where the rumour begins to take shape—because if the situation ever changes. Montreal could be positioned to pounce.
Pierre LeBrun. writing for The Athletic earlier this week and then returning to the topic on Friday. made the case that Hischier is the ideal target for the Canadiens if circumstances were to make him available. LeBrun wrote: “Montreal will keep an eye on how the Larkin situation plays out. but to me. Hischier is the best fit for the Canadiens.” He added: “And there’s no doubt the Habs are keeping super close tabs on that. too.”.
LeBrun also leaned into the hockey fit—specifically how Hischier would slot beside the Canadiens’ existing center identity. His point was direct: “Hischier is a left-handed Nick Suzuki. The fit is beyond perfect for Montreal if Hischier were ever actually available.” LeBrun went further. saying Montreal would be prepared to make a serious trade offer: “I think the Canadiens would be willing to pay a real price and not mess around in that trade scenario.”.
For a young team already led by Nick Suzuki. adding Hischier would immediately strengthen the center group in a way that’s hard to ignore. It would also bring leadership and two-way excellence into the mix—qualities that are even more valuable when a franchise is trying to close the gap between “promising” and “championship.”.
But the tension in this story is that the most likely outcome may not be a trade at all. LeBrun’s view is still that New Jersey holds the stronger cards in the long run. He wrote: “I still think the most likely scenario is that Hischier stays put and signs an extension with the Devils.” Then came the reason. grounded in personality as much as hockey: “He’s a super loyal guy. He’s proud to be their captain.”.
So for now, Montreal can’t force anything. The Canadiens can only watch how contract talks unfold between Hischier and the Devils. If negotiations stall or fail to move forward. Montreal would almost certainly become one of the most aggressive suitors. because players with Hischier’s combination of age. leadership and two-way excellence don’t often show up available on the trade market.
For Hughes and the Canadiens, it’s a familiar offseason reality: the team is growing—and the next step might come down to whether a once-in-a-rare-window opportunity actually opens.
Montreal Canadiens Kent Hughes Nico Hischier New Jersey Devils Pierre LeBrun Nick Suzuki NHL trade rumors Eastern Conference Final Stanley Cup contention