Nathan MacKinnon getting traded by the Colorado Avalanche would qualify as one of the most stunning transactions in NHL history.
There is no indication that Colorado is considering such a move, but veteran NHL reporter Jimmy Murphy recently floated the possibility—and he readily admitted the idea came to him while drinking at a bar with a friend, which may tell you everything you need to know.
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During an appearance on The Sick Podcast, Murphy explained that a bartender mentioned MacKinnon was his favorite player, sparking a thought that eventually led him to wonder whether the Montreal Canadiens could be a fit for the Avalanche superstar.
“I don’t know, this light bulb went off my head, and that’s sometimes a good thing, sometimes a bad thing when it happens.”
From there, Murphy started thinking about Colorado’s disappointing postseason results since winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, Cale Makar’s impending contract extension and whether the Avalanche could eventually decide they need a major change.
That led him to the ultimate hypothetical: What if MacKinnon were actually made available?
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Murphy believes the Montreal Canadiens would be particularly well positioned to make a deal.
“If this ever happened where this guy was available, I think the Montreal Canadiens are the most poised to acquire him. They have all the things that Colorado can use.”
The Canadiens have a combination of young NHL talent, prospects and draft capital that could theoretically appeal to Colorado.
Murphy suggested that Montreal could provide the Avalanche with both present and future assets, allowing Colorado to remain competitive while reshaping its roster around Makar.
Of course, actually acquiring MacKinnon would require an enormous package.
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Michael Hage could be an intriguing young center for Colorado, while players such as Kaiden Guhle, Noah Dobson, Juraj Slafkovsky or Cole Caufield could potentially enter the conversation. Multiple first-round picks would almost certainly be part of any realistic blockbuster.
Even then, Montreal would have to absorb MacKinnon’s $12.6 million cap hit.
The end result would be a trade almost impossible to imagine right now.
But that’s what makes Murphy’s hypothetical so entertaining.
There is zero evidence MacKinnon is available, and Murphy himself repeatedly stressed the word if when discussing the possibility.
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For now, it’s nothing more than a wild idea that started with a bartender mentioning his favorite player.
Still, if the unthinkable ever happened and MacKinnon hit the trade market, Murphy believes the Canadiens could be one of the NHL’s best-positioned teams to make the call.
And if you actually believe Nathan MacKinnon is headed to Montreal, you might be “Sick,” drunk, or both.
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