New Jersey would easily accept. Ty Smith needs a roster spot next year, and will probably be better on the PP than Butcher. Solid trade that helps both teams.

Didn’t look at Butcher stats this years, I’ll take off the 2rd pick

Butcher on NJD was expected to be jesus on hockey skates , here' he just has to be 3rd D and top LD

NJD the last 3 years have started the NHL season with less then 6 NHL Defense which is clearly the area they should build upon their youth core hoping for another Steven's-Nedermeyer like connection on the back end for years and years to come which Brook and Smith could possibly provide .

this trade most importantly maximizes each players potential ice time while also helping prospects like Smith and Mete .

I understand where you're coming from but I don't think the NJD management will do this. Butcher may be struggling a bit this year, but the defense as a whole has been a huge issue. A one for one trade doesn't make sense to me especially when NJ is sending an NHL capable defenseman for someone who isn't as proven yet.

NJD already have Ty Smith who’s gonna be maybe a #1 or #2 LHD. Josh Brook project to be a #2 or #3 RHD. So Smith-Brook for the future can be awesome. Montreal already have Weber-Petry-Juulsen-Brook-Fleury all RHD.

given how much production the Offense provided and how solid Cory Schneider was for NJD i'd be shocked if Shero wasnt open to moving him as this would be his kind of trade as NJD only has Left Handed D prospects with Gryba and Mueller being used as plugs so this solve's one of the biggest issues NJD has in the depth department

Brooks is one of the top developed Canadian D out there right now with MTL real high on him because of his ability to carry the puck and distribute it on special teams as both our AHL coach and NHL coach went on about Brook at length in the Pre Season making him one of the last cuts as with Weber down at the time there was serious though about keeping him but instead Benn and Oulette rotated filling in on the Right side and MTL chose not to burn a year on his ELC which was brilliant because he's having a career year .

if anything i argue giving up Brooks for Butcher is not in MTL's favor as he could replace Petry who will land a LD prospect a lot better then Butcher who is a star on a struggling team but on a team with stars on the back end up ceiling is really as a #2-3 D and special teams leader , not a guy like Weber you want logging 25 plus minutes as he's an offensive D unlike Weber who's just as solid in his end as the offensive end making him a complete 2 way threat and leader .

that being said we need a young LD today to bridge the gap until Romanov and Mete can solidify themselves giving us a complete and powerful LD core for the next 4-7 years while still having Weber Juulsen and Fleury long term to round out a solid core with great leadership .