Rumor: Columbus/Montreal

[CBJx614]

Not what Waddell said on Futa. Sounds like he is going to offer sheet

No he didn't. Waddell has a tendency of playing along when people ask him hypotheticals

 

[Scintillating10]

I don’t see a good reasoning for Columbus to spend a first to acquire back their 2nd to make an offer sheet.

If they REALLY want it back because they have a done deal in place for an offer sheet it’ll likely be for Montreal to move up the draft.

Something like #16 + 26’ CLB 2nd for #11.

Or Montreal includes another pick. We have ton of picks. I'd rather have 3 first than give one up to move up to 16 to 12.

 

[Xoggz22]

Not what Waddell said on Futa. Sounds like he is going to offer sheet

Which he can still do without their 2026 2nd. Just changes the offer approach and who they might be targeting, doesn't mean he's going to do something stupid with assets to get back the 2nd in HOPES someone accepts the offer. That would be horrible asset management.

Imagine your GM trading assets to get back his 2nd round pick that is needed to make a specific offer sheet to a RFA. The offer gets accepted by the player and the original team matches... Oops, I just traded for a 2nd round pick using assets that were likely more valuable than the 2nd on its' own... Yeah, that's not going to happen. He'll do an offer for a 1st and 3rd or four 1st round picks before he makes a move like that.

 

[Xoggz22]

I just don't see it happening unless the Jackets don't value this draft much.

And IMO, on top of what I said before, I think the Habs would have to add a roster player.

Would be interesting move though. Maybe MTL removes their 2025 2nd from the transaction and replace it with Kirby Dach? Other posters insinuated about getting a roster player that's ready now; maybe they'd be willing to gamble at Dach same way they gambled for Monahan.

So revised would be:

MTL:
Jackets' 1st (+/- 10OA)

CBJ:
Dach
2025 PITT's 2nd (+/- 40OA)
2026 CBJ"s 2nd

That would sure be an interesting turn of events. MTL having that 2nd round pick could help them move up on one of their then 3 picks. (10OA, 16OA, and 17OA).

CBJ keeps the 20OA pick to draft, adds Dach, and tries to be successful at an offersheet; not a bad start to the offseason.

Question becomes, does MTL sees enough value in the 10-20 range this year to warrant the cost.

I get why you're suggesting this, but if CBJ were to actually move a 1st in such a deal I'm pretty sure they would adjust to the later of the two 2025 1sts. I still don't see any way they do that type of move. See my other post above.

 

[Colezuki]

I get why you're suggesting this, but if CBJ were to actually move a 1st in such a deal I'm pretty sure they would adjust to the later of the two 2025 1sts. I still don't see any way they do that type of move. See my other post above.

I think of CBJ does this they just make the trade

 

[Scintillating10]

I think of CBJ does this they just make the trade

Montreal probably shouldn't do it because I have hunch Colombus will offer sheet same guy we plan on offer sheeting.

 

[stevo61]

Montreal probably shouldn't do it because I have hunch Colombus will offer sheet same guy we plan on offer sheeting.

I dont think Columbus is planning to offersheet at all and you have read way too much into Waddell's way of answering questions. We have way too many potential targets coming up to go down that path. Think if Columbus adds players it will be done the old fashioned way

 

[Dumais]

Stevo61 is right. Hypothetically speaking, if the Habs had 20million in cap space, would they be looking at offer sheets or free agency & trades? With another top 4 d or top 6 forward, CBJ would be in a better position right now. And they have plenty of guys under 25, they need more experienced guys that are harder to play against.

 

[pth2]

Which he can still do without their 2026 2nd. Just changes the offer approach and who they might be targeting, doesn't mean he's going to do something stupid with assets to get back the 2nd in HOPES someone accepts the offer. That would be horrible asset management.

Imagine your GM trading assets to get back his 2nd round pick that is needed to make a specific offer sheet to a RFA. The offer gets accepted by the player and the original team matches... Oops, I just traded for a 2nd round pick using assets that were likely more valuable than the 2nd on its' own... Yeah, that's not going to happen. He'll do an offer for a 1st and 3rd or four 1st round picks before he makes a move like that.

It could also just be moving their '27 2nd rounder to get the '26 back, along with a sweetener: a 3d or 4th rounder, or a surplus to requirements role player.
There's no reason for Columbus to give up any prime assets here, despite all the wishful thinking in this thread.

 

[xNogaitx]

I get why you're suggesting this, but if CBJ were to actually move a 1st in such a deal I'm pretty sure they would adjust to the later of the two 2025 1sts. I still don't see any way they do that type of move. See my other post above.

Oh I totally get your point. I was simply starting from the premise of "pick value", less so "real world makes sense".

A reshuffling of the picks is more likely anyway (10+20+ 2026 2nd + ? other mid-round pick for Habs' 16+17).

Anyhoo - time will tell! I'd stick with 10 & 20 if I were in CBJ's shoes unless they have intel on a guy who's likely obtainable / pre-negotiated unofficially with an agent.

 

[Scintillating10]

Oh I totally get your point. I was simply starting from the premise of "pick value", less so "real world makes sense".

A reshuffling of the picks is more likely anyway (10+20+ 2026 2nd + ? other mid-round pick for Habs' 16+17).

Anyhoo - time will tell! I'd stick with 10 & 20 if I were in CBJ's shoes unless they have intel on a guy who's likely obtainable / pre-negotiated unofficially with an agent.

As long as Colombus not looking offer sheet a center, we can make this deal. Habs 16+17+Jackets 2nd for 10+20. On draft floor if right guy slides.

 

[Scintillating10]

If Colombus don't make playoffs, would they take

If we take a quick look at PuckPedia's Perri Pick Value calculator, it’s clear MTL and CBJ could be great trade partners for this.

In 2025, MTL holds their own 2nd-round pick and PITT’s (currently projected around 40th and 49th overall) which roughly equals the value of a late first-rounder. (i.e. 2021 CAR 40th & 51st OA for 27th to NASH)

Meanwhile, CBJ owns MINN’s 2025 1st, projected around 20th overall.

If MTL adds CBJ’s 2026 2nd, the combined value comes close to that 20OA pick. (i.e. 2024 MTL 26th, 57th, & 198th for LA’s 21st)

Now, three 2nds for 20OA may seem steep to some (especially since MTL would be doing CBJ a favor). So, it’s fair to assume there might be a “favor premium” involved if we look at Hughes’ past deals. CBJ could sweeten the pot by swapping some later round picks positioning or throwing in a 5th or something else in there.

But at this stage of their rebuild, if I'm MTL I would be all over this. 3 picks in the top 20 could allow them to swing big in a separate trade (either up the draft, or for an established/young 2C.)

If Colombus don't make playoffs, would they take their own '26 2nd plus all our picks after first round for their first? We have 2 seconds and 2 thirds plus our picks 4th round and beyond.

Habs have drafted a lot last 4 drafts and like to move a bunch of picks for another mid first pick.

 

[CBJx614]

If Colombus don't make playoffs, would they take

If Colombus don't make playoffs, would they take their own '26 2nd plus all our picks after first round for their first? We have 2 seconds and 2 thirds plus our picks 4th round and beyond.

Habs have drafted a lot last 4 drafts and like to move a bunch of picks for another mid first pick.

Columbus doing this makes no sense unless they have someone in mind that they think will without a doubt sign a OS and the team won't match.