Jordan Binnington linked to Canadiens in trade-deadline deal

Currently sitting second in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference, the Habs are eyeing a deep playoff run.

According to a recent post, Montreal could be looking to St. Louis as a potential trade-partner for goalie Jordan Binnington, who seems to be a hot item since returning from the Milan Olympics.

The Canadiens' primary obstacle remains a volatile goaltending situation that has see-sawed between Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes.

While Binnington's regular-season stats with the St. Louis Blues have been underwhelming-posting a 3.65 GAA and a .864 save percentage-his recent "big game" heroics have made him a tantalizing target for Montreal General Manager Kent Hughes.

The argument for Binnington rests almost entirely on his "clutch" reputation. He was the backbone of Team Canada's silver-medal finish at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics, where he recorded a stellar .917 save percentage and a 1.78 GAA.

For a Montreal team that is averaging 3.46 goals per game (third-most in the NHL) but struggling with defensive consistency, a veteran with a Stanley Cup pedigree could be the stabilizing force they need.

A hypothetical deal reported by The Athletic suggests a package including veteran Brendan Gallagher, a 2026 first-round pick, and a second-round selection in exchange for Binnington and a fifth-round pick.

The 32-year old native of Richmond GHill, Ontario is a definitive upgrade over Montembeault, especially given his $6M cap hit through 2026-27.

Though Montreal possesses elite goaltending depth with Jacob Fowler (currently 2nd in the Athletic's prospect rankings) and Jakub Dobes, the don't have the clutch-performance factor this season.

With only roughly $3.8M in current cap space, Montreal would likely need to move a significant contract like Gallagher or Josh Anderson to accommodate Binnington's salary.

Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether Kent Hughes believes the "Olympic Binnington" is the true version of the player.

If the Canadiens want to capitalize on their high-octane offense and secure a long playoff run, the gamble on a proven winner might be one they are willing to take.