Marc Dumont
According to a few insiders, the Montreal Canadiens have inquired as to the acquisition cost of New York Rangers centre Vincent Trocheck.
Pierre Lebrun believes the Canadiens have spoken to the Rangers, though we should note that this is far from a report, as he mentions he “thinks” the Habs have been somewhat active in this dossier.
Pierre LeBrun: I think the Canadiens have checked in with the Rangers on Vincent Trocheck although that could be too big a haul – Melnick in the Afternoon (3/4)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) March 5, 2026
Potential Impact
Seeing as the Habs have shown interest in trading for Robert Thomas, a deal that would clearly improve the roster while ignoring some of the more pressing needs, it does make sense that they’ve done their due diligence regarding other available centres, including Trocheck and Nazem Kadri.
Darren Dreger: If Robert Thomas doesn't move then most think that Vinnie Trocheck is going to be the second tier on that ladder, and then you get to Nazem Kadri – Barn Burner (3/4)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) March 5, 2026
Trocheck, 32, does not fit the ideal age group of Canadiens, but it should be noted that he’s managed to maintain a very respectable level of play for a skater who is on the wrong side of 30.
He’s in the fourth year of a seven-year-contract which carries an annual average value of $5.625 million, and will be 35 years old once it expires in 2029.
In terms of bang for your buck, it’s a good-value deal, especially when we consider Trocheck is on pace to score 18 goals and 40 assists in 68 games. To make matters more interesting, he has generated fantastic underlying numbers on a rather weak Rangers roster, a testament to his ability to stave off the usual statistical decline that tends to take over at his age.
Trocheck is also excellent at the faceoff dot, having won over 58% of his draws this season, an asset that would surely interest a head coach such as Martin St-Louis.
In that vein, Trochcek would project as a considerable upgrade on Oliver Kapanen, the current second-line centre.
Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks
Just like a potential Thomas trade, this deal would overlook the most pressing issues in the organization, which is a lack of goaltending excellence, and questionable defensive coverage.
And then there’s the matter of the cost of acquisition, which is expected to be sky-high.
Chris Johnston: Re Vincent Trocheck: The ask right now is still deemed a bit too rich for some of the contenders – Insider Trading (3/5)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) March 5, 2026
However, Vincent Trocheck also checks almost every box for the Habs, except for his age. There’s also the matter of his lack of discipline, which would be compounded by playing for a team that has struggled with indiscipline for a few seasons already.
If the Canadiens were simply one centre away from being legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, this is the type of trade that would be considered a slam dunk, even if he’s much older than most players acquired by Hughes.
But the Habs are not at that point yet, making this a potential trade that would lead to a certain amount of valid excitement, while overlooking some key roster construction problems.
