Value of: A 2nd line center to Montreal.

He’s good but there are a lot of other options id go with first. He is going to get more than he’s worth and i see us regretting it before it’s over. However, if there is a chance he can be short term and coach dach, maybe?
Where are all these other top 6 center options?

Asking for a friend in Vancouver.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: BigDaddyLurch
Three things never get moved in the NHL

1. Young center’s aged 22-28 in their prime (even if they are 2 c it just doesn’t happen). These guys never get moved.
2. Number 1 d-man in their prime.
3. Young power forward.

You basically gotta draft them, sign an older one in free agency or find one that struggled so you can buy low.
Jack Eichel
Sam Reinhart
Dylan Cozens
Martin Necas
Matt Duchene
Jake Guentzel
Josh Norris
Gabe Vilardi
JT Miller
Tomas Hertl
Mika Zibanejad
Vincent Trocheck
Bo Horvat
Brock Nelson
Sam Bennett
Brayden Schenn
Ryan O'Reilly
Sean Monahan
Pavel Zacha
Tyler Toffoli
 
Matthew Barzal is the guy we should gun for.

Islanders are in their way down and they're about to enter the rebuild phase where they have to suck ass to get 1rst rounds picks

On the other hand, Montréal just finished their rebuild, and are targeting playoffs now. We have everything we need already in our team, but a 2nd line center. And we have a f***ing pirate chest full of draft picks.

It's a match made in heaven, really.

Islanders would cut their rebuild by one year or two with what we could sent their way, and we could get a 2nd line center that could jump into 1st line if anything ever happen to Suzuki.


Next year the Habs roll with
Slafkovsky - Suzuki - Caufield
Demidov - Barzal - Laine

It's a top 6 that can go against any team in the league.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shello
Matthew Barzal is the guy we should gun for.

Islanders are in their way down and they're about to enter the rebuild phase where they have to suck ass to get 1rst rounds picks

On the other hand, Montréal just finished their rebuild, and are targeting playoffs now. We have everything we need already in our team, but a 2nd line center. And we have a f***ing pirate chest full of draft picks.

It's a match made in heaven, really.

Islanders would cut their rebuild by one year or two with what we could sent their way, and we could get a 2nd line center that could jump into 1st line if anything ever happen to Suzuki.


Next year the Habs roll with
Slafkovsky - Suzuki - Caufield
Demidov - Barzal - Laine

It's a top 6 that can go against any team in the league.
Can barzal stay healthy is the big concern
 
Not sure any young top 6 centers are going to be available in futures deals. Be better off surfing the rental market or market of nearly 30 year olds and hope one sticks around after their contract is up and can fill the hole for 3-4 years while you draft or develop one.

Is Owen Beck not viewed as an NHL center?
He is. But I think his ceiling is a 3C.
 
Matthew Barzal is the guy we should gun for.

Islanders are in their way down and they're about to enter the rebuild phase where they have to suck ass to get 1rst rounds picks

On the other hand, Montréal just finished their rebuild, and are targeting playoffs now. We have everything we need already in our team, but a 2nd line center. And we have a f***ing pirate chest full of draft picks.

It's a match made in heaven, really.

Islanders would cut their rebuild by one year or two with what we could sent their way, and we could get a 2nd line center that could jump into 1st line if anything ever happen to Suzuki.


Next year the Habs roll with
Slafkovsky - Suzuki - Caufield
Demidov - Barzal - Laine

It's a top 6 that can go against any team in the league.
LOL I prefer the real center : Horvat. Barzal is soft, injury-prone, and not a f-king center.
 
Jeff Gorton traded for Mika Zibanejad in 2017, he can do it again in 2025.

He's not a 1C anymore, he was for a period of time. If he doesn't have to be relied on to be that, he will be good.

Asking price could be reduced because of his NMC and the ending of this iteration of the Rangers. If the Habs want to make a jump, he'd help in that role for 2-3 seasons.

A young LHD would be a start, but ideally we'd be searching for a young C with upside. Would take a contract back too. This team isn't contending for a bit.
 
Jeff Gorton traded for Mika Zibanejad in 2017, he can do it again in 2025.

He's not a 1C anymore, he was for a period of time. If he doesn't have to be relied on to be that, he will be good.

Asking price could be reduced because of his NMC and the ending of this iteration of the Rangers. If the Habs want to make a jump, he'd help in that role for 2-3 seasons.

A young LHD would be a start, but ideally we'd be searching for a young C with upside. Would take a contract back too. This team isn't contending for a bit.

It would probably have to be something starting around Anderson/Gallagher + Engstrom(LD)/Beck(C)/Kapanen(C).

Not sure there is a fit though with Zibanejad`s full NMC.
 
I still can’t understand how some people want Trevor Zegras.
I wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole — even if the price was good.
We’re trying to build a winning team, not just throw flashy names on jerseys for fun.

We’re looking for a complete center. Production is a bonus — not the priority.
The goal is to find someone who can mentor Demidov, and the last guy I’d pick for that role is Zegras, who plays like he’s auditioning for the Harlem Globetrotters. He floats all over the ice, avoids contact, and barely defends.

How exactly are you supposed to maximize Zegras without putting him on the top power play?
Suzuki, Caufield, Laine, Demidov, Slafkovsky — those spots are already taken.
And let’s be honest — Slaf brings something to that unit that Zegras simply can’t replicate.

Now picture this: Laine–Zegras–Demidov.
Suddenly, Demidov becomes the most responsible defensive player on the line.
And the second he touches the puck, he’ll have to dump it in just to stop the bleeding — because they’ve spent a full minute pinned in their own zone.

In NHL 24, sure, give me Zegras. But in real life? If you’re not going to give him a top offensive role, let him stay where he is — or let someone else deal with it. Please.

“You know a guy's game is flawed when he makes Mike Ribeiro look like a complete two-way center…”
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Egresch
Jeff Gorton traded for Mika Zibanejad in 2017, he can do it again in 2025.

He's not a 1C anymore, he was for a period of time. If he doesn't have to be relied on to be that, he will be good.

Asking price could be reduced because of his NMC and the ending of this iteration of the Rangers. If the Habs want to make a jump, he'd help in that role for 2-3 seasons.

A young LHD would be a start, but ideally we'd be searching for a young C with upside. Would take a contract back too. This team isn't contending for a bit.
No way, Zibanejad has a terrible contract
 
Could Couturier be available?

He would definitely be more of a stop gap while Habs hope that Hage (or Kapanen) blossoms into top-6 role.
 

Ad

Ad