Red Wings and Canadiens Linked in Intriguing Trade Proposal
A hypothetical trade involving the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens has sparked an interesting discussion about how the two clubs could use their very different salary-cap situations.
The proposal, generated through PuckGM’s trade simulator, would send defenseman Justin Faulk and forward Michael Rasmussen to Montreal, while the Red Wings would receive veteran winger Josh Anderson along with three draft picks.
There is no indication that the two teams are actually discussing this specific deal, but the salary-cap mechanics make the scenario worth examining.
Detroit currently has roughly $19.5 million in projected cap space, while Montreal has only around $2.8 million available.
Faulk and Rasmussen Head to Montreal
Faulk would provide Montreal with an experienced right-shot defenseman.
The 34-year-old was originally selected 37th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2010 NHL Draft before spending time with Carolina and St. Louis. Detroit acquired him from the Blues at the trade deadline in exchange for Justin Holl, prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov and two draft picks.
Faulk carries a $6.5 million annual cap hit and is entering the final season of the seven-year, $45.5 million contract he signed in 2019. Unless he agrees to another deal, he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Rasmussen would also be included in the hypothetical package.
The 6-foot-6 forward was selected ninth overall by Detroit in 2017 and remains under contract through the 2027-28 season following his four-year extension signed in 2024.
His production declined last season, with Rasmussen recording eight goals and six assists for 14 points in 64 games. That followed a stronger 2023-24 campaign in which he established career highs with 13 goals, 20 assists and 33 points.
Anderson Would Go to Detroit
The Canadiens’ side of the proposal would be headlined by Anderson.
The physical winger originally arrived in Montreal through a trade with Columbus and later signed a seven-year, $38.5 million extension with the Canadiens in 2020.
Anderson carries a $5.5 million cap hit and is also entering the final year of his current contract.
He scored 14 goals in 72 regular-season games last season before adding five more goals during Montreal’s run to the 2026 Eastern Conference Final.
The Canadiens also named Anderson an alternate captain during the offseason, adding another layer to his importance within the organization.
How the Cap Numbers Could Work
The proposed transaction is structured around salary retention to make the financial side of the deal work.
Under the PuckGM scenario, Detroit would retain $3.3 million of Faulk’s salary and $950,000 of Rasmussen’s.
That would leave Montreal responsible for approximately $3.2 million of Faulk’s cap hit and $2.25 million of Rasmussen’s.
Detroit, meanwhile, would take on Anderson’s full $5.5 million cap hit.
The proposed structure would therefore keep the salary commitments relatively balanced while allowing both teams to make significant changes to their rosters.
Could Something Like This Actually Happen?
For now, this remains strictly a hypothetical trade scenario.
Detroit’s considerable cap flexibility gives the Red Wings more freedom to explore creative transactions, while Montreal’s tighter financial situation makes salary management an important factor in any major deal.
Whether either organization would seriously consider a package involving these specific players and draft selections is unknown.
Still, the proposal demonstrates how Detroit’s available cap space could potentially be used as a tool to facilitate a major roster shakeup—and why the Red Wings could be an interesting team to watch as the season approaches.
