The three-team transaction proposal imagined by the former host of BPM Sports, Maxime Van Houtte, is already stirring discussions in the world of hockey.
This ambitious scenario would include the Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers in a major trade that would reshuffle star players and prospects.
Here are the details of this explosive hypothesis:
Transaction details:
In Montreal
Trevor Zegras (C, ANA)
Jacob Trouba (D, NYR)
In Anaheim
Kirby Dach (C, MTL)
Chris Kreider (LW, NYR)
In New York
Frank Vatrano (RW, ANA)
Logan Mailloux (D, MTL)
Montreal’s 1st pick in 2026 (protected top 10)
Analysis by team:
Montreal: a masterstroke or a risky gamble?
For Canadians, this transaction would be a bomb. The addition of Trevor Zegras would inject a spectacular dose of offense into a team looking to solidify its offensive core. Not to mention he’s Cole Caufield’s best friend.
Zegras would instantly become one of the Habs’ most popular figures.
In addition, Jacob Trouba, although associated with an imposing contract, would offer a physical presence and defensive stability that the CH greatly needs.
The fans would love him because he is so spectacular with his body checks. At $5 million (if withheld salary), he could complete the top 4 defensive end.
However, losing Kirby Dach and Logan Mailloux represents a significant sacrifice. Dach is in free fall, but he was seen as a key player in Montreal’s future, while Mailloux, despite controversies and his defensive shortcomings, remains a prospect with immense potential.
For the Ducks, trading Trevor Zegras is a risky move because he has so much untapped talent, but acquiring Kirby Dach and Chris Kreider could address their immediate needs.
The Ducks absolutely need a big center and an experienced winger capable of scoring goals.
Dac is a versatile young center who offers a durable solution if he is able to get going, while Kreider brings experience, toughness and undeniable talent in front of the net.
This combination could accelerate the rebuild for the Ducks, who are looking to build around their young core with complementary pieces ready to produce immediately.
The Rangers, for their part, want to free up payroll by looking to the future, without deconstructing everything.
By sending Kreider and Trouba, two pillars of their formation, they free up space under the salary cap while collecting promising assets.
Logan Mailloux represents a long-term investment for their blue line, and Montreal’s top pick in 2026 could become a high-value asset.
Frank Vatrano, already familiar with the Rangers, is a reliable player who would add offensive depth. Although this trade weakens their team in the short term, it could provide them with greater flexibility moving forward.
This triple transaction would be risky for Kent Hughes and all the GMs involved.
The loss of Dach and Mailloux could hurt.
For Montreal, the exchange of two young talents could divide the fans. Some will see Zegras as a key piece, but others will be hesitant to sacrifice so much of their future for a risky gamble, especially with Dach returning from injury.
If he ends up restarting, Kent Hughes will receive tomatoes.
Trouba’s contract could also hurt. Even with a salary deduction, Trouba remains a defender with uneven performance, which makes his acquisition potentially problematic for the CH.
Yes, it hits like a train. But he can also be a danger in his own zone, he who is often defocused defensively.
On the Anaheim side, even if Dach and Kreider become solid additions, Zegras is a popular player for the Ducks, and his departure might be difficult to justify to fans.
On the New York side, by losing Trouba and Kreider, the Rangers could suffer from a lack of leadership and physical presence, which would affect their immediate competitiveness.
We’re still talking about the Eastern Association finalists.
This bold proposal could redefine the destiny of all three teams, but it remains complex and depends on many factors, including salary retention and risk appetite.
For Montreal, the opportunity to acquire a player like Zegras is rare, but the cost could prove high.
Still, Cole Caufield seems depressed these days and the arrival of his best friend could make him smile again.
Anaheim, for its part, must weigh the impact of losing a young star like Zegras against adding players ready to contribute immediately.
For the Rangers, the goal of freeing up salary space while harvesting future assets could justify this maneuver, but at what cost to their present?
A transaction which, if it were to materialize, would mark a major turning point in the NHL season.
But for now, it remains a daring dream that fuels debate…but which sounds like a mission impossible…
