Imagine a world where the Montreal Canadiens boast a center depth that rivals the Boston Bruins’ golden era of Bergeron and Krejci. It’s a tantalizing thought, isn’t it? That is the exact scenario heating up the NHL rumor mill this week. The chatter surrounding the Montreal Canadiens making a massive push for St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas has moved from idle whisper to genuine debate, and it raises a question that divides the fanbase instantly: Would you trade the farm for a guaranteed elite playmaker?
For many, the answer is an immediate “yes.” Robert Thomas is a proven 80-point player, a Stanley Cup champion, and fits the Habs’ competitive timeline perfectly. But for others, the price—specifically the inclusion of top prospect Michael Hage—is a non-starter. This isn’t just a hockey trade; it’s a battle between the romanticism of a homegrown prospect and the cold, hard business of winning. If the Blues are listening, Kent Hughes has a franchise-altering decision to make.
The Cost of Business: Trading Michael Hage and Top Prospects
Let’s be clear: The St. Louis Blues are not giving Robert Thomas away. According to recent discussions on TSN 690, the asking price for a player of Thomas’s caliber is roughly equivalent to three top-15 draft picks. In a Canadiens context, that conversation starts—and perhaps ends—with Michael Hage.
There is a distinct emotional attachment to Hage in Montreal. The story writes itself: the local kid, the French-speaking parents, the lifelong Habs fan who dreams of crying tears of joy during the anthem at the Bell Centre. It is a beautiful narrative. But NHL GMs cannot build Stanley Cup contenders on romance.
If the Blues demand Hage, a first-round pick, and another high-end asset (think a young defenseman like Barron or a future pick), the cost is punitive. However, you have to ask yourself: What is Michael Hage’s ceiling? If everything goes perfectly, he becomes… Robert Thomas. Thomas is already that player. He is 26 years old, in his prime, and under contract.
The hesitation to move Hage is valid, but hoarding prospects often leads to a cupboard full of “good” but rarely “great.” To get a dollar, you have to give up four quarters. In this case, Thomas is the dollar.
Salary Cap Implications: Fitting Thomas, Demidov, and Hutson
The secondary hurdle is the salary cap. Robert Thomas carries an $8.125 million AAV through 2031. On the surface, with Patrik Laine’s money eventually clearing and the cap rising, it seems feasible. But the Canadiens are staring down the barrel of massive extensions for their young core.
Lane Hutson is going to command a significant raise from his entry-level deal—likely jumping into the $9.5 million range if his trajectory continues. Then there is Ivan Demidov. Let’s be honest; Demidov is going to get whatever Demidov wants. We are looking at a future where the Canadiens have three or four players making $8M+.
Adding Thomas complicates the math. It might mean sacrificing depth or making difficult decisions on players like Kirby Dach (whose injury history and contract status make him a polarizing figure in his own right). However, having Thomas and Nick Suzuki as your 1A and 1B centers solves the biggest issue in hockey: strength down the middle.
The Verdict: Should The Habs Be Involved?
Ultimately, this comes down to the team’s internal timeline. If management believes the window to contend opens next year, you make this trade. You move “heaven and earth” to acquire a 26-year-old elite center.
While Quinton Byfield of the LA Kings offers a different flavor (size and handedness) that the Habs might lack, he isn’t currently available. Robert Thomas might be. Having two right-handed, play-driving centers in Suzuki and Thomas might seem redundant to some, but talent trumps fit. You acquire the talent and figure out the rest later.
The cost is high. Losing the Michael Hage story would sting. But raising a banner requires bold moves, and acquiring Robert Thomas is exactly the kind of swing that accelerates a rebuild into a dynasty.
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