Proposal: Brock Nelson to MTL?

[samsagat]

1st : do you think MTL would be of interest for him?

2nd: would you, Habs fans, like him as an older UFA stop gap center solution?

1st: I've read that Colorado paid a premium last TD because they had plans to resign him.

Afaic, that would be the perfect win-win solution for both the UFA player and the Colorado team.

The guy has the size NHL GMs/coaches covet in a center, he's reliable 200', can still produce offensively and has experience. Theoretically, he's supposed to have the size/strength to be a playoff type player.

The player is older and Colorado is a team that can aspire for the SC. So they'd be a good fit for him.

BUT, the NHL is as unpredictable as it can be and we can't say for sure he won't make it to UFA market.

So if so, would he interests you Habs fans?

Do you think he'd consider signing in MTL?

Afaic I think he'd be a perfect fit for Habs 2nd line...
The 2025 summer market will be crazy, so maybe that's what would keep Hughes from signing him, but on a pure hockey perspective, he'd be a good option.

Might he be interested in signing here?

I personally don't think MTL would be his premium destination of choice, MTL would have to overpay for him to consider it, I think...

So afaic I'd like him here but it depends on how much the overpay would have to go...

Your thoughts?

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

I suspect he will probably want to be closer to home, than all the way in Montreal. He's from Warroad Minnesota so signing in Canada is probably less desirable for him, outside of maybe Winnipeg.

As for the fit in Colorado, from what people here have said is that is was a very similar issue to Mittelstadt, in which he didn't have the foot speed to play Colorado's style of hockey.

 

[Feanor]

Considering that he has not yet won a cup AND he will be along the most coveted players on July 1st due to lack of centers available, he will probably receive equally lucrative offer from a team that is closer to contention than Habs.

Also, he nixed deal to Jets so could Canadian teams be unlikely for him?

 

[samsagat]

Considering that he has not yet won a cup AND he will be along the most coveted players on July 1st due to lack of centers available, he will probably receive equally lucrative offer from a team that is closer to contention than Habs.

Also, he nixed deal to Jets so could Canadian teams be unlikely for him?

1st part : fair enough.


2nd part : Winnipeg is the Siberian goulag of the NHL...

MTL is more attractive when it comes to NHL players, generally.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

hes signing with Minnesota

 

[Hockeyfan200]

1st part : fair enough.


2nd part : Winnipeg is the Siberian goulag of the NHL...

MTL is more attractive when it comes to NHL players, generally.

He nixed a trade to jets! He’s either signing with mn or resigning with Colorado! Nothing in between

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Looked washed up in the playoffs and size doesn’t matter if you’re not physical, for his career he throws a hit just over once every other game, have watched a 6’4” softy in our lineup last 7 years in Yoel and hopefully don’t waste money and a roster spot on that again.

 

[Perratrooper]

 

[BKarchitect]

size doesn’t matter if you’re not physical

I mean, you’re not wrong that Nelson isn’t physical and it can be annoying to watch but this statement is simply not true. There are a lot of ways to use a size or reach advantage that don’t involve laying a big hit.

 

[Ararana]

The Avs will most likely overpay him to stay in Colorado because he's their only real shot at a 2C next year. They can fairly easily give him 8 million over 4 years.

Not to mention, cMac needs to save face for everything he gave up for Nelson. I'm confident the Avs will bend over backwards to keep Nelson.

 

[BJCOLLINS]

Mtl is still in a rebuild.

They have a bright GM who’ll be looking for a Cozens type 2C. The player will have to fit their timeline, 23-24yo if they are going to spend draft capital +.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

I mean, you’re not wrong that Nelson isn’t physical and it can be annoying to watch but this statement is simply not true. There are a lot of ways to use a size or reach advantage that don’t involve laying a big hit.

With the make up of the Habs we just can’t afford it, Armia using his size and reach on the PK and along the boards was nice but he was a perimeter player that wouldn’t drive the net, wouldn’t hit D on the forecheck, wouldn’t stand near the crease - we just have too many small players that our big ones have to be physical especially come playoffs.

 

[Jeune Poulet]

Unless Hughes and Gorton are producing some unauthorized Fantastic Four B-movie and need to cast Reed Richards, I don't see why they'd give Brock Nelson the time of day.

Hopefully we chase more interesting targets to center the 2nd line.

 

[Perratrooper]

The Avs will most likely overpay him to stay in Colorado because he's their only real shot at a 2C next year. They can fairly easily give him 8 million over 4 years.

Not to mention, cMac needs to save face for everything he gave up for Nelson. I'm confident the Avs will bend over backwards to keep Nelson.

I hope they let him walk if it’s going to cost them $8m per

 

[samsagat]

Unless Hughes and Gorton are producing some unauthorized Fantastic Four B-movie and need to cast Reed Richards, I don't see why they'd give Brock Nelson the time of day.

Hopefully we chase more interesting targets to center the 2nd line.

We all wish...

The problem is : who?

The market is very thin in top 6 centers.

There's a shortage of them and a crazy market in the making this summer, with all the NHL teams but a few with available money under the cap.

NHL GM's have been very disciplined because of the covid flat cap era the last few years, but this has come to an end and when the UFA market gates are gonna open, watch out for a crazy day...

Young established centers?

The prices are gonna be even more crazy.

I fear a middle of the 1st round pick in an ordinary draft + Mailloux won't make it.

Unless your target is a project like Zegras.

 

[miscs75]

I’ll break this down in simple steps:

1. Montreal isn’t close to his hometown

2. Motreal isn’t Minnesota or near it

3. Montreal media will just ruin him

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Too old. He will be declining as the Habs are improving and developing.

He’s gonna be an albatross contract to whoever signs him.

 

[Bouboumaster]

For 2 or 3 years, I wouldn't mind

It would depends on the contract

 

[Bouboumaster]

3. Montreal media will just ruin him

I don't think so

Nelson is a hard worker IMO, and the expectation for him wouldn't be too high
We're looking for a center that is better than Alex Newhook or Christian Dvorak...

What we absolutly hate is players that don't seems to give a f***. We have no patience for that shit, at all.
As long as he's giving his 100%, he'd have a good time here.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

I’ll break this down in simple steps:

1. Montreal isn’t close to his hometown

2. Motreal isn’t Minnesota or near it

3. Montreal media will just ruin him

Nelson is 34 and on the downside of his career. It would be dumb for the Habs to pursue him.