2C or not 2C?

[mfilipo3]

Throw the bank at Rantanen and have him play C full time.

Getting Necas last summer could’ve also solved this issue. He wants to play C

 

[HuGo Sham]

we need that 2C for sure and I like Bennett but that contract is going to be radioactive within 3-4 years imo.
Do they see Zegras as a C? Or is this drouin again?
Cozens makes sense but 30 teams want him and why would they deal him to a direct competitor and he may not even be available.

Trading for an older guy as a stop gap? maybe. I think it depends on where we land in the draft and see if they can draft Misae, Hagens, Desnoyers....

I don't think they do much until they figure out where they land in the draft.

I had migrated to the 'trade Evans camp' but the logical thing is to sign him and let Beck play and see where things are at this summer.
How much of a play driver is Demidov? Laine and Demidov are already nice pieces for a 2nd line regardless of the potato playing between them

 

[OldCraig71]

I just don't see Bennett being available. The Panthers are the defending cup champs. They're not going to let him walk.

I think we need to look at clubs where they may be starting to look at a rebuild. We can help with that in the form of picks and prospects. Maybe it's an older player who acts as a bridge.

Five years ago it'd have been insane to even suggest trading for Crosby. Now though? Pittsburgh is cooked. Malkin and Karlsson are old... We might just be able to get him. And imagine the effect he'd have on our younger players. Imagine a guy like Demidov or Slaf playing with him and learning from him. Even Suzuki and Caufield would learn from him.

Crosby probably has another four or five decent years left. He's still a top center and could easily slot in as a number two at minimum over that period of time.

Dylan Cozens is an option. He's younger but his play has declined since losing a big fight a few years ago. His contract is expensive too. The upside of a great player is there but he comes with real risk.

Stamkos I think as someone else put it - is washed. How much of his offense was due to playing with Kucherov and that great club in Tampa? 8 mil a year for a guy who's not producing... I think we stay away.

Malkin would be another older player we could target. He'd be less expensive and easier to get than Crosby but also less compelling.

Crosby would be the ultimate prize for Hughes to land in Montreal, and even though he is older, I would give up whatever they ask just to get him in a Habs jersey for 2-3 years because he's worth it. Pittsburgh could begin a successful rebuild with some of the picks from us along with tanking hard to try and win 1st overall next year.

Imagine being Demidov and learning you are coming to Montreal to play with a legend. It would instantly elevate us to the playoffs and potential cup contention.

The 4 nations cup proved how Montreal fans would embrace a superstar and Crosby would be the King of Montreal. Make it happen Hughes.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

We should go for either Barzal or EP40

We throw 1sts and 2nds, as well as to every single prospects we have (but Reinbacher and Demidov) to get one of them

Basically agree but not Pettersson, I do not think he is a very good player

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Crosby would be the ultimate prize for Hughes to land in Montreal, and even though he is older, I would give up whatever they ask just to get him in a Habs jersey for 2-3 years because he's worth it. Pittsburgh could begin a successful rebuild with some of the picks from us along with tanking hard to try and win 1st overall next year.

Imagine being Demidov and learning you are coming to Montreal to play with a legend. It would instantly elevate us to the playoffs and potential cup contention.

The 4 nations cup proved how Montreal fans would embrace a superstar and Crosby would be the King of Montreal. Make it happen Hughes.

It’d be a perfect fit. And Pittsburgh could tank hard for McKenna. We could give them two firsts in this year’s draft and could even serve up another for next year. Add in a guy like Struble who will be a good bottom pair NHLer and maybe another S a sweetener. it’s a huge haul and Pittsburgh would be in their way to a rebuild very quickly.

We also have guys like Matheson, Mailloux Roy and others who (if we aren’t playing then) we could put together to another team to get back a first for next year… we could make it work. We have excess prospects. Time to take advantage of that.

I hate the idea of giving up Roy but I don’t know that he has a spot here anymore. But imagine him in Edmonton or Colorado with truly elite players… He has real trade value.

 

[OnTheRun]

Crosby would be the ultimate prize for Hughes to land in Montreal, and even though he is older, I would give up whatever they ask just to get him in a Habs jersey for 2-3 years because he's worth it. Pittsburgh could begin a successful rebuild with some of the picks from us along with tanking hard to try and win 1st overall next year.

Imagine being Demidov and learning you are coming to Montreal to play with a legend. It would instantly elevate us to the playoffs and potential cup contention.

The 4 nations cup proved how Montreal fans would embrace a superstar and Crosby would be the King of Montreal. Make it happen Hughes.

With Crosby off their team the only thing Pittsburgh would begin is to fill up paperwork for bankruptcy. Crosby would be nice et al. But until ownership change their mind and make moving Crosby and actual option for the Pens management, who are currently forbidden to even think about it, you kinda need to operate under the assumption that he will retire as a player who spent his entire career with the same team. Thus the Habs need to look elsewhere.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

With Crosby off their team the only thing Pittsburgh would begin is to fill up paperwork for bankruptcy. Crosby would be nice et al. But until ownership change their mind and make moving Crosby and actual option for the Pens management, who are currently forbidden to even think about it, you kinda need to operate under the assumption that he will retire as a player who spent his entire career with the same team. Thus the Habs need to look elsewhere.

That could absolutely be true.

But Crosby only has about four or five years left. He’s a diminishing asset. If they’re going to cash in, now is the time.

Plus it just so happens to be the Makenna year. They could tank hard for that while at the same time loading up on picks.

If I’m Pittsburgh that’s what I’d do. It’s time to blow it up over there.

 

[waitin425]

I just don't see Bennett being available. The Panthers are the defending cup champs. They're not going to let him walk.

I think we need to look at clubs where they may be starting to look at a rebuild. We can help with that in the form of picks and prospects. Maybe it's an older player who acts as a bridge.

Five years ago it'd have been insane to even suggest trading for Crosby. Now though? Pittsburgh is cooked. Malkin and Karlsson are old... We might just be able to get him. And imagine the effect he'd have on our younger players. Imagine a guy like Demidov or Slaf playing with him and learning from him. Even Suzuki and Caufield would learn from him.

Crosby probably has another four or five decent years left. He's still a top center and could easily slot in as a number two at minimum over that period of time.

Dylan Cozens is an option. He's younger but his play has declined since losing a big fight a few years ago. His contract is expensive too. The upside of a great player is there but he comes with real risk.

Stamkos I think as someone else put it - is washed. How much of his offense was due to playing with Kucherov and that great club in Tampa? 8 mil a year for a guy who's not producing... I think we stay away.

Malkin would be another older player we could target. He'd be less expensive and easier to get than Crosby but also less compelling.

Crosby would be the dream and I think if he wanted to chase another Cup the timing might be right for us, especially if we add a Top4 RD as well.

Package would be steep but I think both 1sts this year plus Beck would be a decent starting point.

Laine - Crosby - Demidov
Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Heinemen - Dach - Newhook
Anderson - Evans - Kapanen
Gally

Im heading to Buffalo in a couple of hours for the game tonight. Ill be watching Cozens closely. He has trained in London in the past with Suzuki and I think they are tight. Would be cautious about his price tag though, considering he hasn't been overly productive this year.

 

[OldCraig71]

It’d be a perfect fit. And Pittsburgh could tank hard for McKenna. We could give them two firsts in this year’s draft and could even serve up another for next year. Add in a guy like Struble who will be a good bottom pair NHLer and maybe another S a sweetener. it’s a huge haul and Pittsburgh would be in their way to a rebuild very quickly.

We also have guys like Matheson, Mailloux Roy and others who (if we aren’t playing then) we could put together to another team to get back a first for next year… we could make it work. We have excess prospects. Time to take advantage of that.

I hate the idea of giving up Roy but I don’t know that he has a spot here anymore. But imagine him in Edmonton or Colorado with truly elite players… He has real trade value.

(Holy crap write this down) I agree with every word you wrote lol. We need a big fish and 87 would be perfect. Even if it doesn't happen, he is exactly who we need.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Crosby would be the dream and I think if he wanted to chase another Cup the timing might be right for us, especially if we add a Top4 RD as well.

Package would be steep but I think both 1sts this year plus Beck would be a decent starting point.

Laine - Crosby - Demidov
Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Heinemen - Dach - Newhook
Anderson - Evans - Kapanen
Gally

Im heading to Buffalo in a couple of hours for the game tonight. Ill be watching Cozens closely. He has trained in London in the past with Suzuki and I think they are tight. Would be cautious about his price tag though, considering he hasn't been overly productive this year.

Not that I think Crosby will be moved (really doubtful given the full NMC, his superstition, and how happy he is in Pittsburgh), but I actually think he'd mesh best with Demidov and Heineman as linemates

 

[Deebs]

That could absolutely be true.

But Crosby only has about four or five years left. He’s a diminishing asset. If they’re going to cash in, now is the time.

Plus it just so happens to be the Makenna year. They could tank hard for that while at the same time loading up on picks.

If I’m Pittsburgh that’s what I’d do. It’s time to blow it up over there.

Imo, that's being very very generous. I'm thinking 2 at best where he's a very good complimentary piece. Given our situation with a weak bottom six, a D corps that's not playoff ready and uncertain goaltending, I don't see us being a fit.

 

[waitin425]

Not that I think Crosby will be moved (really doubtful given the full NMC, his superstition, and how happy he is in Pittsburgh), but I actually think he'd mesh best with Demidov and Heineman as linemates

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Heinemen - Crosby - Demidov
Laine - Dach - Newhook
Anderson - Evans - Kapanen
Gally

That is three dangerous lines and an incredible fourth line.

Let's start bombarding the main boards with offers for Crosby and see if we can will it to happen.

 

[OnTheRun]

That could absolutely be true.

But Crosby only has about four or five years left. He’s a diminishing asset. If they’re going to cash in, now is the time.

Plus it just so happens to be the Makenna year. They could tank hard for that while at the same time loading up on picks.

If I’m Pittsburgh that’s what I’d do. It’s time to blow it up over there.

I don't disagree with the premise (because yes, it would be wise to blow it up over there). But the problem is moving Crosby isn't a hockey decision at this point in time, he is the face of the franchise and ownership isn't interested in losing what he represent.

 

[Deebs]

It’d be a perfect fit. And Pittsburgh could tank hard for McKenna. We could give them two firsts in this year’s draft and could even serve up another for next year. Add in a guy like Struble who will be a good bottom pair NHLer and maybe another S a sweetener. it’s a huge haul and Pittsburgh would be in their way to a rebuild very quickly.

We also have guys like Matheson, Mailloux Roy and others who (if we aren’t playing then) we could put together to another team to get back a first for next year… we could make it work. We have excess prospects. Time to take advantage of that.

I hate the idea of giving up Roy but I don’t know that he has a spot here anymore. But imagine him in Edmonton or Colorado with truly elite players… He has real trade value.

3 1st's and two sweeteners, possibly more..... for one, maybe two good years of Crosby on a team that is nowhere near contending for a cup.

I could very well be wrong but this screams terrible idea/desperation to me.

Let's start bombarding the main boards with offers for Crosby and see if we can will it to happen.

I think I have an idea lol

 

[Skip Bayless]

Either get a vet stop gap like Stamkos, or trade for younger and proven talent. But to do that, HFboarders, it will mean that young talent and high draft picks go the other way. No Ryder, Halak +2nd here. Time to suffer on this board! Are you ready for this?

Trade Caufield if necessary, I don't give a f***.

 

[c3z4r]

Trade Price to San Jose or Anaheim on July 1st, sign Rantanen and Bennett; trade for Crosby and.... I woke up

edit:

CC-Suzuki-Rantanen
Heineman-Crosby-Laine
Newhook-Bennett-Slaf
Gally-Beck-Anderson

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Crosby would be the dream and I think if he wanted to chase another Cup the timing might be right for us, especially if we add a Top4 RD as well.

Package would be steep but I think both 1sts this year plus Beck would be a decent starting point.

Laine - Crosby - Demidov
Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Heinemen - Dach - Newhook
Anderson - Evans - Kapanen
Gally

Im heading to Buffalo in a couple of hours for the game tonight. Ill be watching Cozens closely. He has trained in London in the past with Suzuki and I think they are tight. Would be cautious about his price tag though, considering he hasn't been overly productive this year.

If Crosby joined us he might absolutely win another cup in the next few years. But we do need more on the right side D.

 

[salbutera]

Imagine a guy like Demidov or Slaf playing with him and learning from him. Even Suzuki and Caufield would learn from him.

Or both!

Caufield - Suzuki - Laine
Slafkovsky - Crosby - Demidov

By the time Crosby's contract is up, and another 2C option develops internally, there will be enough experienced, talented wingers in full confidence to help along the replacement 2C.

Crosby has repeatedly stated he’s not leaving Pitt

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Imo, that's being very very generous. I'm thinking 2 at best where he's a very good complimentary piece. Given our situation with a weak bottom six, a D corps that's not playoff ready and uncertain goaltending, I don't see us being a fit.

Okay, let's say it's... three years. By then Hage will be in the lineup for a year or two. And Crosby will have helped guys like Demidov, Hutson and Slaf immensely.

Maybe we only give them two firsts and not three. Maybe it's two firsts and a bunch of prospects... I still think the benefits go far beyond him helping us win a cup. Having a guy like that in the lineup would help someone like Demidov so, so much.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I don't disagree with the premise (because yes, it would be wise to blow it up over there). But the problem is moving Crosby isn't a hockey decision at this point in time, he is the face of the franchise and ownership isn't interested in losing what he represent.

Of course. He may not be available at all.

Five years ago it'd be unthinkable. But now? Honestly, it makes sense for them to do it.

Pittsburgh's a small market team. And losing Crosby won't help. But they're going to lose him anyway. They might as well prepare for it.

Our biggest mistake in the 80s was letting players retire/walk for nothing. We got zero for Lafleur, Robinson, Gainey, Dryden, Lemaire, Shutt.... Pollock never would've let that happen.

I get hanging onto tradition and seeing a player finish his career with your team but Jagr moved on and they survived. Recchi, Stevens... all of them. Only Mario Lemieux retired and it was really because he had to. And letting Crosby finish his career for the team he idolized would actually be a nice touch.

Three firsts might be too rich for us to part with. But we could do two. And we could give up a bunch of prospects as well. We could give them Matheson who they could leverage for another pick... if they want to kickstart a rebuild there isn't a better team in the league to trade with than us.

 

[Deebs]

Okay, let's say it's... three years. By then Hage will be in the lineup for a year or two. And Crosby will have helped guys like Demidov, Hutson and Slaf immensely.

Maybe we only give them two firsts and not three. Maybe it's two firsts and a bunch of prospects... I still think the benefits go far beyond him helping us win a cup. Having a guy like that in the lineup would help someone like Demidov so, so much.

I guess I see it as we're not just a Crosby away from being a legitimate contender....make the playoffs, probable. We need to fix the bottom 6, we need to solidify our D group and we need a goalie before we have any thoughts of going on a serious run.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I guess I see it as we're not just a Crosby away from being a legitimate contender....make the playoffs, probable. We need to fix the bottom 6, we need to solidify our D group and we need a goalie before we have any thoughts of going on a serious run.

Crosby would give us a lethal top six. In the bottom six, it really depends on what happens with Evans. But he Newhook and Heineman would be just fine there. After that we've got Gallagher, Anderson and Beck. We also have Dach who we could slide in if he's actually healthy.

I don't see any holes there. That's a really good forward group.

On the D our left side is solid. On the right we need another vet. Savard's gotta go. Matheson goes. Struble goes. So either it's Mailloux who gets a shot or we trade him too and get someone there.

Then there's goaltending... Is Fowler ready yet?

 

[SwiftyHab]

We need a full list of possible 2nd line Cs that there’s a chance we get. My guess is they want someone established to help Demidov next year

Feel free to add:

Trade:

• Crosby
• ROR
• Cozens
• Horvat
• E Petterson
• Zegras

Sign

• Tavares
• Marner
• Bennet

Offer sheet

• Wyatt Johnson

 

[Deebs]

We need a full list of possible 2nd line Cs that there’s a chance we get. My guess is they want someone established to help Demidov next year

Feel free to add:

Stamkos
Crosby
ROR
Cozens
Horvat
E Petterson
Tavares
Bennet

2025 NHL Free Agents

Every notable 2025 NHL free agent is here at Pro Hockey Rumors.

www.prohockeyrumors.com

Unrestricted Free Agents​

Centers

Sam Bennett (29)
Nick Bjugstad (32)
Ryan Donato (29)
Nic Dowd (35)
Justin Dowling (34)
Matt Duchene (34)
Christian Dvorak (29)
Lars Eller (36)
Jake Evans (29)
Radek Faksa (31)
Trent Frederic (27)
Luke Glendening (36)
Yanni Gourde (33)
Mikael Granlund (33)
Tyson Jost (27)
Justin Kirkland (28)
Luke Kunin (27)
Sean Kuraly (32)
Curtis Lazar (30)
Marc McLaughlin (25) – Group VI UFA
Brock Nelson (33)
Tomáš Nosek (32)
Kevin Rooney (32)
Derek Ryan (38)
Nico Sturm (30)
Pius Suter (29)
John Tavares (34)

Left Wingers

Jamie Benn (35)
Michael Carcone (29)
Nick Cousins (31)
Claude Giroux (37)
Jordan Greenway (28)
Taylor Hall (33)
Marcus Johansson (34)
Joel Kiviranta (29)
Andrei Kuzmenko (29)
Steven Lorentz (29)
Brad Marchand (37)
Pat Maroon (37)
Matt Martin (36)
Brock McGinn (31)
Matthew Nieto (32)
Gustav Nyquist (35)
Victor Olofsson (29)
Max Pacioretty (36)
Tanner Pearson (32)
Cole Reinhardt (25) – Group VI UFA
Eric Robinson (30)
Jack Roslovic (28)
Brandon Saad (32)
Devin Shore (30)
Jeff Skinner (33)
Tomáš Tatar (34)
James van Riemsdyk (36)
Jakub Vrána (29)
Jason Zucker (33)

Right Wingers

Mason Appleton (29)
Joel Armia (32)
Cam Atkinson (36)
Nicolas Aubé-Kubel (29)
Nathan Bastian (27)
Anthony Beauvillier (28)
Colin Blackwell (32)
Brock Boeser (28)
Justin Brazeau (27)
Connor Brown (31)
Evgenii Dadonov (36)
Justin Danforth (32)
Walker Duehr (27)
Nikolaj Ehlers (29)
Michael Eyssimont (28)
Robby Fabbri (29)
Hudson Fasching (29)
Christian Fischer (28)
Adam Gaudette (28)
Alex Iafallo (31)
Tanner Jeannot (28)
Patrick Kane (36)
Kasperi Kapanen (28)
Alexander Kerfoot (30)
Cole Koepke (27)
Kevin Labanc (29)
Trevor Lewis (38)
Andrew Mangiapane (29)
Anthony Mantha (30)
Mitch Marner (28)
Tyler Motte (30)
Mathieu Olivier (28)
Kyle Palmieri (34)
Corey Perry (40)
Jesse Puljujärvi (27)
Taylor Raddysh (27)
Mikko Rantanen (28)
Craig Smith (35)
Givani Smith (27)
Reilly Smith (34)
Daniel Sprong (28)
Brandon Tanev (33)
Jimmy Vesey (32)
Chris Wagner (34)

Left Defensemen

Jacob Bryson (27)
Declan Chisholm (25) – Group VI UFA unless he registers 47 GP in 2024-25, then RFA
Dennis Cholowski (27)
Jakob Chychrun (27)
Ian Cole (36)
Calvin de Haan (34)
Marc Del Gaizo (25) – Group VI UFA
Brian Dumoulin (33)
Haydn Fleury (28)
Derek Forbort (33)
Matt Grzelcyk (31)
Joel Hanley (34)
Jack Johnson (38)
Ryan Lindgren (27)
Alec Martinez (37)
Jonathon Merrill (33)
Dmitry Orlov (33)
Mike Reilly (31)
Nate Schmidt (33)
Ryan Shea (28)
Brendan Smith (36)
Ryan Suter (40)
Parker Wotherspoon (27)

Right Defensemen

Robert Bortuzzo (36)
Brent Burns (40)
Cody Ceci (31)
Travis Dermott (28)
Aaron Ekblad (29)
Ty Emberson (25) – Group VI UFA unless he registers 50 GP in 2024-25, then RFA
Dante Fabbro (27)
Vladislav Gavrikov (29)
Dennis Gilbert (28)
Travis Hamonic (34)
Grant Hutton (29)
Erik Johnson (37)
Henri Jokiharju (26)
Noah Juulsen (28)
John Klingberg (32)
Johnathan Kovacevic (27)
Olli Määttä (30)
Josh Mahura (27)
Dylan McIlrath (33)
Nicklaus Perbix (27)
Jeff Petry (37)
Neal Pionk (29)
Ivan Provorov (28)
Jan Rutta (34)
David Savard (34)

 

[Benstheman]

Crosby would be the ultimate prize for Hughes to land in Montreal, and even though he is older, I would give up whatever they ask just to get him in a Habs jersey for 2-3 years because he's worth it. Pittsburgh could begin a successful rebuild with some of the picks from us along with tanking hard to try and win 1st overall next year.

Imagine being Demidov and learning you are coming to Montreal to play with a legend. It would instantly elevate us to the playoffs and potential cup contention.

The 4 nations cup proved how Montreal fans would embrace a superstar and Crosby would be the King of Montreal. Make it happen Hughes.

At the draft :

Calgary's 1st, Habs 2026 1st, Logan Mailloux and Kirby Dach (cap dump/reclamation project/shirt filler)