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Why a one-for-one trade could bring the Canadiens a perfect first-round fit
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After the holiday break, a simple trade could make noise in Montreal.
The idea is circulating more and more: a "one-for-one" between two 2022 first-round picks, Filip Mesar and Nathan Gaucher. Not a blockbuster, but a clear move to try a change of scenery without sacrificing draft picks.
According to HabsolumentFan, Nathan Gaucher would fit well with the Canadiens' needs.
Gaucher is a 6-foot-3, 227-pound center, born on November 6, 2003. Mesar, meanwhile, is a 5-foot-10, 181-pound right winger, born on January 3, 2004.
Two opposite profiles, two trajectories still wide open, and two organizations that can afford to be creative.
A Quebec-born first-round pick becomes a very credible option to fill a Canadiens need
In the AHL, Gaucher is currently with the San Diego Gulls. He has 3 points in 22 games this season, including 1 goal. Last year, he put up 19 points in 56 games. His entry-level contract carries a cap hit of $886,667, and he is signed through the end of the 2026-2027 season.
The "Quebec" connection adds a little something extra. Gaucher won the Memorial Cup with the Quebec Remparts in 2023. He also won gold at the World Junior Championship with Canada.
That kind of resume guarantees nothing, but it explains why his name comes up often when people talk about a Quebecer who could join the Canadiens organization.
On the other side, Mesar plays with the Laval Rocket. He has 11 points in 29 games this season. In 2024-2025, he finished with 18 points in 42 games. Like Gaucher, he is on an entry-level contract with a cap hit of $886,667, through 2026-2027.
In the end, if Kent Hughes wants to make a move without overcomplicating things, this type of trade checks several boxes. It would keep the cost low, change the outlook for two prospects, and provide a concrete situation to monitor as soon as play resumes.