Canadiens: Scheifele Not Needed Now or Later

Reports suggest the Montreal Canadiens are exploring a trade for Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele, a move that seems questionable, especially after the recent signing of Chris Kreider.

Scheifele's Suspension Incident

The Canadiens reportedly inquired about acquiring the 33-year-old forward to pair with Nick Suzuki. This comes despite Scheifele's suspension five years ago for a charging incident that injured Jake Evans. While acquiring a player like Kreider on a low-risk, one-year deal was already perplexing, pursuing Scheifele, who was involved in a serious on-ice incident, would be a more significant concern. The potential cost would be high, likely involving top prospects like Oliver Kapanen or Michael Hage, and possibly goalie Sam Montembeault to offset the departure of Connor Hellebuyck. Even for a player coming off a 100-point season, this pursuit raises eyebrows.

Apologists might claim Kreider didn't intend to injure Carey Price. While possible, his history of collisions with goalies made the anger understandable, potentially impacting the Canadiens' 2014 playoff run and Price's career. Similarly, if Scheifele is acquired, many will likely defend his actions, suggesting he was merely trying to prevent an empty-net goal. This contrasts sharply with the widespread negative sentiment towards him following the incident, particularly his perceived lack of remorse.

Potential Upsides and Downsides of Acquiring Scheifele

Scheifele's career statistics are impressive; he consistently produces close to a point per game and achieved a career-high 103 points in the 2025-26 season. In today's market, where Josh Anderson's $5.5 million cap hit seems manageable, Scheifele's $8.5 million salary for the next five years appears quite reasonable.

However, appearances can be deceiving. The argument that Scheifele didn't intend to injure Evans is valid. Yet, it's also realistic to expect that Scheifele, after a 100-point season, may not maintain that production for long, especially compared to a younger player like Michael Hage who could emerge in a similar second-line centre role.

Given his career trajectory of 60-80 point seasons, is it more probable that Scheifele will build on his recent success at age 33, or begin to show signs of decline in 2026-27?

This situation draws parallels to the media frenzy surrounding Vincent Lecavalier's potential acquisition by the Canadiens in 2013. Despite coming off several subpar seasons, local media enthusiastically projected him signing with Montreal and leading them to a Stanley Cup. He ultimately signed with the Flyers, had a mediocre performance, and left the NHL by 2016.

While Lecavalier's situation differs from Scheifele's now, they share the age of 33. This contrasts with acquiring a younger player like Robert Thomas, who was linked to the Canadiens last season with a similar price tag. Thomas, now captain of the St. Louis Blues, could have been a long-term fit for Montreal's young core, making a prospect like Hage a reasonable piece to send the other way.

Scheifele Is Not Worth the Risk

Could Scheifele defy expectations and improve with age? While unlikely, stranger things have happened. The Canadiens' acquisition of a previously disliked player like Kreider would have once seemed improbable. Who knows what the future holds?

If general manager Kent Hughes is considering this move, he should also consider the Canadiens' current standing. They entered last season with the NHL's youngest roster and reached the conference finals. With an experienced core, they are positioned to improve and contend for the Atlantic Division title organically.

They did not need Kreider for that, and they certainly do not need Scheifele. Many players on the current Canadiens roster were part of the 2021 team, including Jake Evans. Adding Scheifele would create an awkward situation.

Would Evans be part of the trade? While professionals are expected to be impartial, introducing a player with whom there are unresolved issues seems counterproductive.

At some point, teams risk not just their future assets but their team's identity and spirit. Constantly pursuing a "whatever it takes" mentality can lead to questionable decisions, as seen with teams like the Vegas Golden Knights or Edmonton Oilers. The question remains: if these aggressive acquisitions don't lead to a championship, were they worth it?

Some might argue that the potential for a Cup is worth the risk. However, what is the cost to the locker room chemistry and the culture the current administration has spent years building?

The Canadiens were considered Stanley Cup contenders even before signing Kreider. If they are only a piece or two away, waiting until the trade deadline for a player with less contract security and a lower risk profile would be a more prudent strategy.

Rumors suggest Nikita Kucherov might become available next summer. He notably insulted Montreal during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Is this also a bridge too far?

Hughes should operate under the principle that certain lines should not be crossed, lines from which there is no easy return.

One would have thought Scheifele crossed such a line five years ago.