Blockbuster Trade Rumor Emerges Between Two Canadian Teams

Trade rumors continue to fly as the Christmas break has ended and the trade deadline comes closer and closer. Today a rumor involving the Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens has risen to the surface.

In this rumored trade disgruntled forward Andrei Kuzmenko would be sent from Vancouver to Montreal. In return, the Canucks would get a prominent NHL veteran with playoff experience in Sean Monahan. The other details of the rumored trade can be found below.

This trade would provide teams at different stages of their competitive window to get players that can help them improve.

With the Vancouver Canucks being firmly in a playoff spot and looking like they are on their way to a playoff berth a veteran with some experience is needed.

This current Canucks team is very young and doesn't possess that playoff experience. Sean Monahan can play middle-six minutes and fill this role perfectly. The Canucks also get a solid prospect in Jonathan Kovacevic who has NHL game experience in the past.

From the Canadiens' perspective, they are building for the future while trying to stay in the playoff race. Adding a younger forward in Andrei Kuzmenko does both of these things. Kuzmenko has high-end goal-scoring potential and is just 27 years old. They also add Nils Hoglander who has a high floor and is still young to add to their prospect pool.

On the surface, Montreal likely gets the players with the higher ceiling in this deal. If Monahan can fill in an important role for the Canucks he could be more valuable than he currently seems. Then of course there are the draft pick swaps that could tip the scales as well.

While this trade is only a rumor at the moment a move like this could change the trajectory of both franchises for many seasons.