As the hockey world holds its breath, the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks appear to be quietly orchestrating a deal that could send shockwaves through the NHL.

With Carey Price’s contract finally ripe for movement after his last bonus payout, rumors are swirling that a multi-team blockbuster is brewing—one with layers of intrigue and complexity that fans have come to expect from Canadiens GM Kent Hughes. Insider whispers suggest Chicago is the logical landing spot for Price’s contract, but the puzzle doesn’t end there.

Why would the Blackhawks want Price’s contract, and what could Montreal possibly get in return? Defenseman Connor Murphy’s name is circulating, but with the Habs’ blue line already crowded, another twist seems inevitable.

Could this be the setup for a three-team trade, with Murphy acting as a chess piece to unlock a much bigger move? The precedent is there, and Hughes has proven he’s not afraid to get creative.

With experts hinting that the groundwork may already be laid, and the possibility of a major trade announcement looming, fans are left to wonder: Who will be the real winner in this high-stakes transaction? The answers may be closer than anyone thinks.

Habs and BlackHawks Logos

Photo credit: HabsFanatics NHL

Everything indicates that the Montreal Canadiens are about to trade Carey Price’s contract.

First, let’s recall some interesting points.

– First, absolutely all signs indicate that the Habs will trade Carey Price’s contract on September 1st (after the payment of his last big bonus), and several experts even believe the deal may already be done.

– Second, we have an insider reporting that the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago Blackhawks are currently on the phone, with Chicago being an absolutely logical destination for Carey Price’s contract.

– Third, we have Frank Seravalli, who reports that Chicago will really need to trade a defenseman before the start of the season..

– And fourth, we know very well that the Habs absolutely don’t need more defensemen, since the team already has Arber Xhekaj, David Reinbacher, and Jayden Struble battling for the 6th and final regular spot on defense.

A three-team trade to move Carey Price’s contract?

That could very well be the case.

In two previous trades of this kind, Kent Hughes dealt Shea Weber’s contract in exchange for forward Evgeny Dadonov.

Here, the “Evgeny Dadonov” would be defenseman Connor Murphy.

And for the second, Hughes pulled off a three-team deal (with the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins on August 6, 2023), mainly to re-trade players he didn’t actually need afterward.

Could he do the same thing again, this time with the Chicago Blackhawks and another team?

Given all this, the most logical name for the Blackhawks to trade (to Montreal) in exchange for Price’s contract would be defenseman Connor Murphy.

But clearly, Montreal wouldn’t need Murphy.. So could this turn into a three-team trade, sending Price to Chicago for Murphy, before immediately flipping Murphy elsewhere?

That really seems like a possibility, so it’s something to keep an eye on.

Basically, everything indicates the Hawks would like to swap Murphy for Carey Price’s contract, but since Montreal doesn’t need Murphy.. a three-team deal makes so much sense!

To be continued!