Value of: Habs Trade Into Top 10

[JTToilinginToronto]

I'd do it from the NYI, but only after the draft lottery to confirm we're not moving up.

 

[pth2]

Enough with the trading up and enough with the prospects. Its time to trade assets for youngish guys to help now.

Nah.
This Habs management group hasn't done well, trading for drafted players.
Dach, Newhook, Barron, Smilanic.... all unsatisfactory.
Only Heinmann is reaching expectations.

They've done far better drafting, with Mesar being the only clear miss to date.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Nah.
This Habs management group hasn't done well, trading for drafted players.
Dach, Newhook, Barron, Smilanic.... all unsatisfactory.
Only Heinmann is reaching expectations.

They've done far better drafting, with Mesar being the only clear miss to date.

Hughes has done well be leveraging cap space and getting value from trading veterans. But his major trades have not materialized as hoped. (Other than Carrier - but not a major trade)

But, i like his approach to the rebuild. An almost perfect rebuild.

 

[miscs75]

Nah.
This Habs management group hasn't done well, trading for drafted players.
Dach, Newhook, Barron, Smilanic.... all unsatisfactory.
Only Heinmann is reaching expectations.

They've done far better drafting, with Mesar being the only clear miss to date.

Smilanic sounds like a medication name, not a hockey player.

 

[Grinner]

Smilanic sounds like a medication name, not a hockey player.

Baby formula

 

[miscs75]

Baby formula

That too. That might be his calling if hockey ever passes him up.

 

[HuGo Sham]

That too. That might be his calling if hockey ever passes him up.

it's a med for an upset stomach -which most of us have had from this trade

 

[madmike77]

The problem with this draft is things drop off after the top 10. There isn’t much consensus after those top guys. There will still be good players available, but there doesn’t seem to be a ton of difference between pick 12 and pick 32.

This could still be a good deal for an org looking for prospect depth over quality though. Just not sure which teams that would be.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Nobody does it. Huge difference in this drsft.

Don't see a huge difference in the top 20.

 

[boredmale]

I'd do it from the NYI, but only after the draft lottery to confirm we're not moving up.

Fish don't fry in the kitchen;
Beans don't burn on the grill
Took a whole lotta tryin'
Just to get up that hill
Now we're up in the big leagues
Gettin' our turn at bat
As long as we live, it's you and me baby
There ain't nothin wrong with that

 

[boredmale]

As an Islanders fan I do it for the 2 first rounders only if Mrtka is not picked top 9(which means one of the consensus centers rated in the top 10 drops to 10). I am guessing that would make it a moot point for the OP

I might even be willing to trade it for the 16, Pittsburgh's 2nd rounder and one of Montreals 2nds in 2026(the higher one of their or Columbus)

 

[Frank Drebin]

Don't see a huge difference in the top 20.

People always say “huge drop off after x this year”. Or “lots of good defensemen, but not forwards”. Heard that last year when celebrini and demidov were drafted.
It’s just noise.

Every draft there are elite players chosen after the top 5. I prefer 2 dart throws to 1

 

[Junohockeyfan]

People always say “huge drop off after x this year”. Or “lots of good defensemen, but not forwards”. Heard that last year when celebrini and demidov were drafted.
It’s just noise.

Every draft there are elite players chosen after the top 5. I prefer 2 dart throws to 1

I agree. Hage is a good example of that. Good players drop. I would rather have two Hages than one Obrien.

Better odds .

 

[Doublechin]

I ain't doing that trade to crack the top 10

If anything I'm adding a bit and aiming for top 5 or 6

Schaefer
Misa
Desnoyers
Hagens
Frondell
Martone

After that I'm not in love with what's available to give up two for one

 

[AvatarAang]

Nah.
This Habs management group hasn't done well, trading for drafted players.
Dach, Newhook, Barron, Smilanic.... all unsatisfactory.
Only Heinmann is reaching expectations.

They've done far better drafting, with Mesar being the only clear miss to date.

Yikes you are right I just did some research and it looks like they traded 13th overall for dach and then another 1st and 2nd for Newhook

But i am not sure they are any better at drafting, they fumbled their lottery pick selections in back to back drafts by picking Slaf instead of Cooley and Reinbacher instead of Michkov

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Yikes you are right I just did some research and it looks like they traded 13th overall for dach and then another 1st and 2nd for Newhook

But i am not sure they are any better at drafting, they fumbled their lottery pick selections in back to back drafts by picking Slaf instead of Cooley and Reinbacher instead of Michkov

And ended up drafting the unanimous runaway Calder winner who had a historic season. Lane might be the best player in the Slaf draft!

And then Demidov! Oh My!

What a beautiful rebuild. Youngest team in the playoffs!

Oh My!

 

[My3Sons]

The problem with this approach is that I personally don't see anyone in the 7-10 range being able to step in as a 2C on a team that wants to make the playoffs. I think whoever they pick is likely around the same level as Hage, and likely isn't able to contribute for another 2-3 years.

I understand the trade options for a 2C are slim and the Habs probably don't want to overpay for someone who doesn't check all the boxes, but I am not sure drafting another C fits the competitive timeline either.

The Habs are good. They’ve assembled a bunch of picks and prospects. If they identify a 2C that works for them and the only overpayment is an extra pick or prospect you do it. If it takes the two mid firsts and maybe Mailloux to land a 28 year old who can score 20+ goals and 50+ points and play a solid two way game you do it. Montreal has spent years putting this group together. It’s time to add to it and if they can do so without any roster surgery it’s a win for them.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

The Habs are good. They’ve assembled a bunch of picks and prospects. If they identify a 2C that works for them and the only overpayment is an extra pick or prospect you do it. If it takes the two mid firsts and maybe Mailloux to land a 28 year old who can score 20+ goals and 50+ points and play a solid two way game you do it. Montreal has spent years putting this group together. It’s time to add to it and if they can do so without any roster surgery it’s a win for them.

While i agree with you, the Habs are not desperate. They were the 2nd youngest team in the league. The rebuild took a big step by making the playoffs. However, they have years to go before they will be contenders. They have time to find a 2C via trade, UFA or internally. I just don’t see a viable option via trade this offseason.

 

[NobleSix]

Habs don't need to trade into the top 10, they need to trade for a 2nd line center and a top 4 defenseman.

 

[My3Sons]

While i agree with you, the Habs are not desperate. They were the 2nd youngest team in the league. The rebuild took a big step by making the playoffs. However, they have years to go before they will be contenders. They have time to find a 2C via trade, UFA or internally. I just don’t see a viable option via trade this offseason.

It’s not a desperation issue as I see it. It’s a priority issue. I’m not suggesting sending out Reimbacher or Hage but if the actually rebuilding team wants an extra prospect who isn’t tracking to be a top guy I wouldn’t let that stand in thr way of getting my 2C or if it’s a good veteran RD same thing . If thr Islanders canned Lamoriello and the next GM wanted to do a full rebuild and offered Dobson for example. I’m not letting some incremental asset stop me from adding him.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

It’s not a desperation issue as I see it. It’s a priority issue. I’m not suggesting sending out Reimbacher or Hage but if the actually rebuilding team wants an extra prospect who isn’t tracking to be a top guy I wouldn’t let that stand in thr way of getting my 2C or if it’s a good veteran RD same thing . If thr Islanders canned Lamoriello and the next GM wanted to do a full rebuild and offered Dobson for example. I’m not letting some incremental asset stop me from adding him.

But who is available that fits that category? Bearing in mind that the Habs won’t trade for an older vet 2C.

 

[malcb33]

The Habs are good. They’ve assembled a bunch of picks and prospects. If they identify a 2C that works for them and the only overpayment is an extra pick or prospect you do it. If it takes the two mid firsts and maybe Mailloux to land a 28 year old who can score 20+ goals and 50+ points and play a solid two way game you do it. Montreal has spent years putting this group together. It’s time to add to it and if they can do so without any roster surgery it’s a win for them.

The previous discussion was about who those 2C options are, which you didn't actually answer...

I think it's obvious to many that 2C is the Habs biggest hole right now, and anyone who has been watching the team and listening to management should know by now that the management favors younger players that can contribute now and fit in with the timeline (and salary structure) of the team.

It's also very clear that the market values U25 players, and many teams are looking for a 2C. So it's not going to be easy hole to fill, and there are very limited options likely available.

 

[My3Sons]

But who is available that fits that category? Bearing in mind that the Habs won’t trade for an older vet 2C.

Someone will be available at some point over the summer. Mittlestadt and Cozens were just moved and other young players who need a change of scenery will shake loose.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Someone will be available at some point over the summer. Mittlestadt and Cozens were just moved and other young players who need a change of scenery will shake loose.

Trading for Mitts / Cozens is desperation. Habs are not desperate. Not yet anyways.

 

[My3Sons]

Trading for Mitts / Cozens is desperation. Habs are not desperate. Not yet anyways.

Nah. It’s just a scouting issue. Different players fit different profiles. They will find someone they like. Holloway didn’t look like anything special this time last year.