Value of: A 2nd line center to Montreal.
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Trade our 2nd best prospect with legitimate 2C (or higher) upside for a stopgap 2C. Sounds like a plan lmao
Who said stop gap for Hage? Have you even took the time to read the post I made?
Stop gaps are all that’s going to be available for the players and pieces you listed. You also edited the part about Hage after I replied.
So Hage is a legitimate 2C or even higher prospect in your saying, but the only thing we are going to get from him is stop gap? How does that even make sense?
ROR would be a decent pick up.
If Vegas don't have a deep run, they'll likely make some moves and someone like Nicolas Roy might be a cheap option. He's $3m which is probably more than Vegas want to pay for a 3C on their team. Maybe William Karlsson is available in that scenario also.
If Vegas don't have a deep run, they'll likely make some moves and someone like Nicolas Roy might be a cheap option. He's $3m which is probably more than Vegas want to pay for a 3C on their team. Maybe William Karlsson is available in that scenario also.
I'm not really interested in parting with Hage. He's had a Big 10 ROTY-caliber season. Give him one more year at Michigan and see where he is.
Teams aren't lining up to part with 2Cs in their mid 20s and producing. Do you offer sheet Marco Rossi?
If they walk away from Dach, I think a veteran stop gap makes sense.
Hence why I suggest Hage to entice teams in parting with a younger 2C.
Keep him then yes older C are likely the realistic option left. Still would like to see what followers of other teams would say is available on their side rather than just speculate on Habs side.
Because he’s not sure thing. From a trade value standpoint, the bird in hand is worth more. Make sense yet?
My guess would be HuGo pulls out all the stops to try and sign Bennett. Failing that, we probably move something that hurts to go get someone people aren't thinking of as available right now. I think they see solidifying the 2C as the biggest hurdle remaining to the team taking a big step forward.
Why would any team trade a young 2C for a prospect they hope eventually becomes that? It’s nonsensical.
I agree for type B prospect like Roy and Mailloux. For piece like Hage, type A prospect, I think they hold more value and could interest a team willing to move a 2C in his 20s if added with picks and NHLers ( see for example ROR when traded to St Louis).
Buffalo traded OReilly for a mix of 1st, prospect Tage Thompson, and average NHL ers.
More recently, Bo Horvat was traded in 2023 for first, prospect and beauvillier.
Both were in their late 20s at the time.
Even Eichel is an example to an extend, Tuch compensating for Eichel being a first C.
My point if with type A prospect like Hage, 1st rounder and NHLers like Newhook, you might pull something different than for a package of B prospect and other type of picks.
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I understand your logic, I just don't think teams will line up to part with a C that is in the midst of the age of our core group. Those that might are going to want 3 high end pieces. I would prefer to wait a year on Hage, chart his growth, and then make a decision about his potential and future in the organization.
O’Reilly forced his way out of Buffalo, so that one is not really applicable.
Same situation with Horvat, iirc.
Also, for a team in the middle of a rebuild, I don’t think trading a prospect like Hage plus a bunch of other assets for a player in their late 20s is a good idea.
And like I said, you aren’t going to get a younger established 2C for the players and pieces mentioned.
I don't think the Habs are middle of a rebuild any more. 1 point out of a playoff spot. 3 young dmen who for their top 4 (Hutson, Guhle, Reinbacher) + a vet in either Matheson or Carrier.
Top line looks great, Demidov will drive the 2nd. If the Habs get a legit 2C making Laine the worst player in your top 6 once Demidov gets going they're a playoff team almost certainly.
I think this is right, Bennett is an ideal "Older" 2c. As the he ages his game is perfectly suited for a 3rd line role once he slows down and can't be a 2C anymore in 5ish years.
it's a difficult situation for the habs; teams don't readily part with young top 6 C.
Buffalo and ottawa just did - for each other's C.
Apparently buffalo wanted either slafkovsky or Caufield for Cozens which is a lateral move at best for Mtl.
They could probably trade for Zegras but can he even play C?
Do they move Demidov to C?
They might try and trade for a placeholder, but Hage is absolutely off the table because that C would be holding place until he's ready.
I can see them offering Marner, Tavares or Bennett lots and lots of money, but 0 guarantee any would sign in Montreal.
Buffalo and ottawa just did - for each other's C.
Apparently buffalo wanted either slafkovsky or Caufield for Cozens which is a lateral move at best for Mtl.
They could probably trade for Zegras but can he even play C?
Do they move Demidov to C?
They might try and trade for a placeholder, but Hage is absolutely off the table because that C would be holding place until he's ready.
I can see them offering Marner, Tavares or Bennett lots and lots of money, but 0 guarantee any would sign in Montreal.
I love Bennett's game and think he'd be an amazing 2C on the Habs right now, but he will require an overpay (8-9M+) and a 6-7 year commitment to land him in FA. Not to mention that his game causes a lot of wear and tear to his body, and I'd guess he'll be the new Gallagher in the back end of his long-term deal.
TLDR: Excellent short-term fit, but there is a high probability that the back end of his long-term contract hurts the team's competitive window.
If that's true, it's a step backwards. Not saying Cozens can't rebound out of Buffalo, but there's no way Montreal makes that move.
