My comment was a bit hyperbole but I just don't think trading both of them moves the rebuild forward. Levshunov is likely gone at 3 or 5(Chicago wants him at 2 apparently) so the likely situation is we end up with 18yo Demidov, Dickinson, Zegras, and no solid RHD prospect. Suddenly the team's defense isn't much of a strength, only high-end player that will be a part of the future is Dickinson, as opposed to having both of Guhle/Reinbacher. The rest of the guys are 2nd/3rd pairing potential. The team basically ends up with Mailloux as its top pairing RD if I'm not missing anybody. Maybe there's some possible vet UFA signing or other trade to bring in a top RHD but there's a reason we drafted a (possible) top RHD last year: it's not easy to find.
I don't think the team's offense would be a strength in that situation either. I'm not a fan of Zegras, really feels like the kind of player that will just play himself out of a top6 role(he basically just did in Anaheim). Having Demidov would be sweet, but I don't think adding him makes the Canadiens' offense as one of the best in the league in a few years, while a Dcore with Guhle/Reinbacher will likely be one of the best Dcore in the future. Basically traded from having a strength to being mediocre in both, unless Demidov makes this forward group elite.
I think a trade 1 for 1 for the 3rd pick could be cool. I don't think the Ducks do it though. Maybe a trade built around Guhle+ for the 3rd OA, and then we don't leave a massive hole on the right side while still acquiring Demidov and Dickinson. And if the Ducks don't pick Demidov, there's always the possibility of trading with Columbus(who might be more open to getting Guhle). But I'd rather keep Guhle, I really like him.
If we do trade then the team might look like this. Replace anyone who doesn't pan out with vets. Or replace any of the depth, move players around, doesn't really matter. That Dcore looks bad. I don't keep up with UFAs so maybe in a few years there's a good RD UFA signing available, but if not, this looks bad. Don't have Matheson, Savard, Anderson etc... because in ~4-5 years they're all gone. This just doesn't look like a winning team, and vet signings won't fix it.
If the team doesn't acquire Zegras or Demidov, then whatever we pick this year replaces 1 of them in top 6(hopefully) and a vet signing fills a winger spot(much easier to find than RD). We then have Guhle/Reinbacher that we could split across 2 pairings, providing stability that a lot of playoff teams wish they had. I prefer that outcome so I wouldn't do the trade. But maybe I'm really wrong and adding Zegras/Demidov moves this forward group into elite territory and they can outscore whatever issues that Dcore has.
