Year after year, the holiday season goes hand in hand with the QMJHL trade period, and the 2025–26 campaign proved no different. While some organizations opted for patience and long-term thinking, others chose to aggressively load up for a championship run. This year, two teams clearly emerged as the biggest winners of the trade window: the Chicoutimi Saguenéens and the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

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Through a series of bold moves, both franchises sent a clear message to the rest of the league: the time to win is now. Here’s a breakdown of the most impactful transactions from the past few weeks and how they could reshape the playoff landscape.

Chicoutimi: “Cup or Bust” in Saguenay

If there was any doubt after the first half of the season, the Saguenéens erased it entirely by showing they are willing to mortgage their future in pursuit of their first championship in 32 years.

Already sitting atop the overall standings, Chicoutimi went all-in at the trade deadline, moving no fewer than 13 future draft picks to reinforce every area of an already elite lineup.

Up front, the Sags made an immediate splash by acquiring Mavrik Lachance from Sherbrooke and Liam Lefebvre from Rimouski. Both forwards add valuable depth and versatility, capable of sliding seamlessly into a deep top-nine group.

The blue line also received a significant upgrade with the additions of Tomas Lavoie (Cape Breton), Alexis Bernier (Baie-Comeau), and Jordan Tourigny (Shawinigan). Tourigny, in particular, brings a wealth of experience with 296 QMJHL games under his belt — a rare and highly coveted asset for a playoff-bound team. Together, these additions give Chicoutimi more size, mobility, and stability on defense — essential ingredients for a long postseason run.

To cap off their shopping spree, the Saguenéens acquired elite goaltender Lucas Beckman from Baie-Comeau. Widely regarded as one of the league’s most reliable netminders, Beckman solidifies a critical position and gives Chicoutimi a true difference-maker between the pipes as the playoffs approach.

With these moves, the Sags are now loaded at every position, reinforcing an already dominant roster. The message in the Saguenay is unmistakable: it’s Cup or bust. The only remaining question is whether this star-studded lineup can live up to the enormous expectations.

Blainville-Boisbriand Bets Big on a Franchise Goaltender

Blainville-Boisbriand took a different — but equally decisive — approach. Touted as one of the league’s top contenders entering the season, the Armada experienced some midseason turbulence, particularly on the defensive side, ranking in the middle of the pack in goals against.

Management chose to address that weakness head-on.

The Armada pulled off what many consider the biggest trade of the entire period, acquiring star goaltender William Lacelle from Rimouski. Eligible for the upcoming NHL Draft, Lacelle had already proven himself as one of the league’s premier goaltenders, posting 47 wins in 67 starts with the Océanic.

The price was steep: Blainville-Boisbriand sent Rafaël Cloutier along with three draft picks, including two first-round selections (2027 and 2028). It was a significant investment, but one that aligns perfectly with the Armada’s championship ambitions.

To further clarify the crease hierarchy, the Armada also dealt Arseni Radkov, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, to Saint John — a move that firmly establishes Lacelle as the undisputed number-one goaltender heading into the postseason.

Dangerous Challengers Lurking in the Background

While they were more conservative at the deadline in an effort to protect their long-term futures, teams such as Drummondville, Moncton, Charlottetown, Rouyn-Noranda, and Shawinigan remain firmly in the hunt for regular-season supremacy. Each of these clubs possesses the depth, structure, and experience needed to challenge the league’s top contenders and should be considered legitimate threats once the playoffs begin.

With Chicoutimi aggressively fortifying an already dominant roster and Blainville-Boisbriand solving its most pressing issue in goal, the balance of power in the QMJHL may be shifting as the season enters its final stretch.

One thing is certain: this year’s trade period has left its mark, and the road to the Gilles-Courteau Trophy promises to be more competitive — and more unpredictable — than ever.

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