And that’s surprising? The mains have been an anti-Habs circlejerk for a long time, and it’s only gotten worse over the last year or so because things are starting to turn around for us. The Hutson, Demidov, and Calder threads are filled with that type of shit. But go ahead and pretend that isn’t the case.
The issue comes down to how serious Montreal is to compete moving forward. The core showed they can play with the big boys even if it was a 4-1 series lost. Ideally you have to think the playoff and ultimately cup window is now moving forward. To get that 2C they truly want, it will hurt in the terms of future and might take a piece of the roster not named Suzuki/Caufield/Demidov/Hutson/Guhle. Even if they were the youngest team in the playoffs by a bit, they do need to make changes to upgrade and it really won’t come by offering up pieces like Laine/Matheson/Mesar.
Most Habs fans agree with you. From what I've gathered from that thread, pretty much every prospect we have (not named Reinbacher) and picks are potentially on the table. There are prospects like Hage that we are more reluctant to trade but I haven't seen anyone close the door on those prospects.
Teams aren’t moving a Rantanen tier core piece without getting a massive haul and by massive it’s not Hage/1st/cap dump. Even with Rantanen, Colorado moved him as soon as they saw that extension talks stalled. Even Carolina flipping him to Dallas because he wouldn’t sign there was quick thinking. It had nothing to do with Rantanen and more to do with Carolina simply not asking ahead of time if he was willing to extend moving forward before making that deal. Even Lou did that with Horvat before making the trade.
I’m not arguing with your rational. All I’m saying is pretty much every pick and prospect from Montreal (aside from Reinbacher) is available for the right fit but there’s a cost acquisition to those players and sometimes it just isn’t worth it in terms of value/assets.
I’m not saying offer up 2 1sts, Hage and someone else to get Barzal but to get a guy in that 25-28 range who fits into the window, it’s going to hurt. Teams don’t give up players like that unless they’re damaged goods (I.e. Laine). Realistically Kent Hughes should look at what GMJB did in Tampa when it comes to acquiring guys and go from there. Montreal has the pieces to make moves for upgrades but it seems like too much of the fanbase is clinging onto the fact that the rebuild needs a year more instead of realizing ok we made it in and saw what it takes, what adjustments do we need to go even further.
Didn’t SKA just essentially cut him right before the playoffs started? Seems like there is something seriously wrong there
It’s just a really sad situation. Beyond being a legit superstar talent he’s incredibly charismatic and witty, the type of personality every team loves to have around and every league would kill to be able to market.
See, I'm on the side of - as an outsider - if you can get a prime aged, locked down, star level C for futures, it's worth an overpayment.
It's not that the rebuild needs another year, it's simply that the cost acquisition needs to make sense. I understand that you have to pay to play and if Montreal is serious about acquiring a 2C they need to pony up. All I'm saying is just because we have a need at 2C does not mean we have to empty the bank either.
I would have no issue moving that package for Barzal. I would have an issue if a long term cap dump was attached to Barzal to finalize that trade. Not that it matters much anyway because if NYI move Barzal, they are entering at best a retool and most likely a rebuild so those undesirable contracts are not an issue for NYI anymore since they won't need that cap space and will need warm bodies/veteran to eat difficult minutes to pave the way for the kids.
Cant be Barzal.
you're allowed to make more than one move. Bring in a lefty C like Eller to round out the bottom six and take draws.
I guess, or they could spend less assets and trade for an older guy and slide him down the lineup if/when a guy like Hage is ready.
None of the above are useful pieces in any sort of way. 2 are cap dumps and the other is a career minor leaguer. Aka none of them have value and in the case of Laine, it’s negative value due to his absurdly high cap hit.
He would be a good fit, but Calgary is obsessed with never rebuilding and staying competitive but mid forever. Not sure they'd move him.
Ultimately the 2C will involve an overpayment in terms of quality (not quantity) unless you want a player who’s more of an unproven commodity or someone towards the end of their career age wise that can be a short term stop gap. Ultimately a guy like Brock Nelson would fit the role but I highly doubt he wants to play in MTL and he turned down a 3 year from Lou which forced the trade. He wants more term and at his age that’s a tough ask.
Laine has negative value.
Terribe take. Caufield has a long term contract, Necas was what, a year from being a UFA and unable to reach a deal ? That has an effect on his value.
Yea who knows, Maybe Calgary wouldn't mind getting rid of the 7 mil cap hit. I just think he would be a great fit and cost much less than the younger comparable guys.
