Value of: A 2nd line center to Montreal.

[Gaud]

I wonder if this is the summer where free agents will be looking at Mtl as a team that is a year or two away from competing every year.

I feel that 2Cs whose age fits in the habs rebuild will be too costly to make sense. I think we are much more likely to get an older player that fits the bill, either through free agency or a trade, until a Kapanen or Hage is ready.

One option i havent heard mentioned is trading Beck. I think the kid is trending towards becoming a 3 C, though i doubt estimates that have him as high up as 2C. Since he is most likely to be 4th next season (Evans being 3rd), maybe packaging him with picks or B prospects could move the needle with some teams. I dont pretend to know even half of the nhl's top prospects, but i imagine that there are situations where a team's Center depth prevents promising prospects from playing in the nhl - especially on the top 2 lines

 

[impaaaaaact]

Horvat for Hage and your later first this year

 

[loadie]

Horvat for Hage and your later first this year

Horvat is 29 years old making 8.5 m for another 3 years after this year. Too old for the rebuild and making too much money. There’s no way you get Hage straight up let alone adding another first

 

[Random schmoe]

I remember seeing a Montreal fan throw out Hendrix LaPierre's name at one point, and he's one person I could see being available. There is a world of difference in fan opinions (both inside and outside of the Caps fanbase) as to what Lappy will end up being, ranging from career AHLer to top 6 NHL center. Because of that, I won't get into his trade value because there's no right answer right now. But, the style of game he plays isn't really suited to a bottom 6 role on most teams and the Caps top two centers, Strome and PLD, are signed for several more years. PLD has a NMC, and I can't see the Caps trading Strome unless it's for a massive overpay (his contract is great). So, the gist is that LaPierre may be available. Bonus, he speaks French.

ETA: Whether he's actually available or not, whether there would be interest in him or not, probably depends on how he is perceived by team management/scouts.

 

[HuGo Sham]

Horvat for Hage and your later first this year

no thanks...i'd do the first and probably Beck or Kapanen + a second rounder too...

I know for many Hage is magic Beans - but he's the kid they're grooming to be a 2C.

Horvat would be a good placeholder as he only has 3 years left. But he's 30 with a big cap hit.
The initial deal was Raty - who's done very little and Beauvilier who's a journeyman. And a 1st

 

[Doublechin]

Horvat for Hage and your later first this year

I'd do Horvat for Beck and our later firsti might add a second to that

I wouldn't do Hage for Horvat one on one, not now

 

[Baksfamous112]

Horvat for Hage and your later first this year

Hage would be off the table but 1st + another prospect would be on the table I presume. Horvat would be a good fit for Montreal.

 

[samsagat]

In the young guys department, Matt Beniers could be a target.

Seattle has a bunch of centers.

I don't know what it would cost but he's making 7 mil for 40ish pts. His development curve has flattened a bit.

Some are proposing McTavish but personally, I don't think Anh wants to trade him.

In the older stop gap department, if I was HuGo I'd take a look at Duchene.

The guy signed two consecutive short and cheap contracts. He has a "reputation" around the league but the group in MTL seems to be good at "integrating" weirdos... Dallas with Rantanen signature, I'm not sure they'll resign him.

Duchene grew up as a Habs fan, he's still producing pts at an interesting pace plus he wins close to 55% of his face offs.

The possibility of playing on a line with Demidov combined with MTL being an up and coming team, it could make Mtl an intriguing destination for a guy like him.

 

[Sparky93]

Kadri

For

2025 Montreal/Flames 1st(which ever is higher)
Dach
Gallagher

Sounds like the Habs need a stop gap 2C. It's essential Kadri for the 1st and the ghost of what Dach could've been. Flames help clean out the scrap bin in the process.

 

[frederixx]

Horvat for Hage and your later first this year

Horvat would be an great fit with Montreal, but i doubt they'd trade a guy like Hage for him. Horvat might be a tad too old for their upcoming window. Not sure Isles would want them, but maybe something around Mailloux + Beck + 1st?

Not sure either fanabases would do it

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Kadri

For

2025 Montreal/Flames 1st(which ever is higher)
Dach
Gallagher

Sounds like the Habs need a stop gap 2C. It's essential Kadri for the 1st and the ghost of what Dach could've been. Flames help clean out the scrap bin in the process.

Done

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

Just wait for Hage. Take on a vet like Pageau to ease him in if you want

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Just wait for Hage. Take on a vet like Pageau to ease him in if you want

I agree with this. Or try to sign Bennett in the offseason.

 

[bossram]

Yikes, Sam Bennett is getting a massive bag this offseason from teams desperate for a 2C.

 

[crazyd74]

Without Monahan trade, the habs don't end up with either Demidov or Hage.

They are for sure great prospects with a high ceiling of potential - more so Demidov - but...they were many other suitable picks. Picks are hypotheticals until they convert to a palpable contributor to your roster. So many things can come about before they can crack the lineup - Reinbacker's injury is a good example. In the meanwhile you need to address your current roster needs. And that 2nd line center need was vacant for far too long. Monahan came and filled the gap and brought leadership and stability to the roster.

What he brought - for me - was more valuable than hypotheticals.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

They are for sure great prospects with a high ceiling of potential - more so Demidov - but...they were many other suitable picks. Picks are hypotheticals until they convert to a palpable contributor to your roster. So many things can come about before they can crack the lineup - Reinbacker's injury is a good example. In the meanwhile you need to address your current roster needs. And that 2nd line center need was vacant for far too long. Monahan came and filled the gap and brought leadership and stability to the roster.

What he brought - for me - was more valuable than hypotheticals.

Demidov is not just another pick with high ceiling. He has super star potential. Habs wouldn't trade Demidov for Monahan + 10 OA pick. Not in a million years. Then we also got Hage.

 

[Qward]

I am sure Buffalo will give you Norris for a couple picks

 

[JT3]

I remember seeing a Montreal fan throw out Hendrix LaPierre's name at one point, and he's one person I could see being available. There is a world of difference in fan opinions (both inside and outside of the Caps fanbase) as to what Lappy will end up being, ranging from career AHLer to top 6 NHL center. Because of that, I won't get into his trade value because there's no right answer right now. But, the style of game he plays isn't really suited to a bottom 6 role on most teams and the Caps top two centers, Strome and PLD, are signed for several more years. PLD has a NMC, and I can't see the Caps trading Strome unless it's for a massive overpay (his contract is great). So, the gist is that LaPierre may be available. Bonus, he speaks French.

ETA: Whether he's actually available or not, whether there would be interest in him or not, probably depends on how he is perceived by team management/scouts.

Nothing against LaPierre, but I think the Habs are looking for someone established at this point and not another potential project.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Hage would be off the table but 1st + another prospect would be on the table I presume. Horvat would be a good fit for Montreal.

no thanks...i'd do the first and probably Beck or Kapanen + a second rounder too...

I know for many Hage is magic Beans - but he's the kid they're grooming to be a 2C.

Horvat would be a good placeholder as he only has 3 years left. But he's 30 with a big cap hit.
The initial deal was Raty - who's done very little and Beauvilier who's a journeyman. And a 1st

Horvat would be an great fit with Montreal, but i doubt they'd trade a guy like Hage for him. Horvat might be a tad too old for their upcoming window. Not sure Isles would want them, but maybe something around Mailloux + Beck + 1st?

Not sure either fanabases would do it

I hear you all, and from an Isles perspective we just traded an unsigned 33 year old Brock Nelson for a first and top C prospect. Horvat is the same level player, younger, and signed.

Was posting based off of OP’s assertion that Hage is available. If he’s not, it’s unlikely Horvat is either.

 

[FlameChampion]

RNH?

I don’t think hes a 2C on a contender. But he might bridge the gap for a team trying to make the playoffs. Finding 2C is pretty difficult. Not very easy to acquire a slam dunk one.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

I agree with this. Or try to sign Bennett in the offseason.

He will be in high demand if he hits free agency, and will probably be looking for a 7x7 deal too

 

[TT1]

He will be in high demand if he hits free agency, and will probably be looking for a 7x7 deal too

Gallagher got 6.5M a long time ago, Bennett gonna be 8+

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

Gallagher got 6.5M a long time ago, Bennett gonna be 8+

Wouldn't surprise me tbh

 

[Random schmoe]

Nothing against LaPierre, but I think the Habs are looking for someone established at this point and not another potential project.

That would make sense, just figured I'd toss him name out there. If a team thought he was on the cusp of good 2nd line NHL center he might be worth deliberation.

 

[therocket9]

Horvat for Hage and your later first this year

Horvat has 6 years left after this year.