Value of: Habs veterans between now and Deadline.

[Jared Dunn]

thats my point... he got a big contract after his best years. MB shouldve let him walk, but obviously wanted to do him a favour. You dont pay someone for what they did, you pay them for what theyre going to do.

I dont see Evans getting better into his 30s, as this season is probably his peak. If he was that good he wouldve been able to show signs of it in his early to mid 20s. They need to keep that money for all the these expensive RFA contracts coming up, and eventually will need some for a big name UFA when they are actual contenders.

I mean he was a late bloomer even coming into pro and has consistently improved on a season by season basis so I don't think it's unreasonable to think he could take another minor step or at the very least that he's able to remain around this level for at least a few more years. If we're truly talking about something in the 4s on a new deal and you can get a 1st round pick for him then yes you have to make that move but at this point I'd give him 3.5 on a short or long term deal and I never thought coming into the season that I'd be willing to go above 2.5. I think he would give breathing room for the center prospects to break in and as they surpass him mid to high 3s honestly might be going rate for a good 4C

Evans is at an insane shooting % this year, but he's still an incredibly useful shutdown C who's in his prime at 28.
High IQ, high character player.
Hughes usually hates losing assets for free so I can't see them letting this become a Danault situation.
He either resigns or they deal him. Dvorak is also probably on his way out.
But now the habs are 9-4 in their last 13 and on the fringes of the WC.

I can't imagine both guys getting dealt and habs start next year with Beck and Kapanen as 3/4.

interesting months ahead

Personally I think Dvorak might be looking to move on regardless since the fit has been pretty poor all along

 

[HuGort]

I would hold out for a first for Evans. If we can't sign him.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I would hold out for a first for Evans. If we can't sign him.

Then you’ll be holding out forever.

 

[jellybeans]

You’re out of your mind haha.

Edmonton wouldn’t give a first for Savard at 100% retention. He’s not even a top 4 defenceman on the Habs anymore. We need another guy that can skate and make a pass, not a busted 35 year old that can’t do anything well.

Common dude Savard is the greatest the only reason he's not as top 4 on our team is we're resting him for you guys i think just a first is a super bargain.

 

[Benning]

I get the arguments against signing Evans: career year just before UFA, shooting %, etc...
However, who are people suggesting we play center next year? We only have 3 centermen as it is. Dach is a winger.
One of the 3, Dvo, is 100% not returning. Now you want to trade away another? Surely no one is suggesting we go into next year with 3 rookie Cs with no NHL experience?
I don't think we should sign him because he's this great player we can't live without, but because he's our 2nd best and one of only two NHL centermen we have (excluding Dvorak we know isn't coming back). Sometimes when you are missing key pieces, you have to slightly overpay to get them. We are very short on true NHL centermen, so we might have to slightly overpay to keep one.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I would hold out for a first for Evans. If we can't sign him.

1st is a reach but that was also said about Lehkonen when we traded him for Barron and a 2nd. Evans is at that critical age where he has gone through development/maturity and he is in his prime. Next 4 or 5 years from Evans will be great value IMO. Many teams will knock on the door for Evans at the TDL. He's playing very well and that does not go unnoticed by actual NHL GM's. 75% or more of the fans on these boards will devalue because they seen Evans play a game 3 years ago

I'd sign Evans because we probably need him. Hage, Kapanen, Beck will take just as long as Evans to reach prime. Maybe sooner but the point is they need time to mature and not many players break out into stars before the age of 25. I like those 3 up coming centers but doubt they are stars so yeah, it will take time for them to reach full potential like Evans is at today.

Habs do not need more depth or secondary pieces in our pool. And that's what you will get by trading Evans. Early 2nd and B+ type prospect is what I would say. We already have loads of those types of pieces in our pool. Maybe the best situation is Evans is traded but we sign him this summer? Wishful thinking but possible.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I get the arguments against signing Evans: career year just before UFA, shooting %, etc...
However, who are people suggesting we play center next year? We only have 3 centermen as it is. Dach is a winger.
One of the 3, Dvo, is 100% not returning. Now you want to trade away another? Surely no one is suggesting we go into next year with 3 rookie Cs with no NHL experience?
I don't think we should sign him because he's this great player we can't live without, but because he's our 2nd best and one of only two NHL centermen we have (excluding Dvorak we know isn't coming back). Sometimes when you are missing key pieces, you have to slightly overpay to get them. We are very short on true NHL centermen, so we might have to slightly overpay to keep one.

I'm sure Huges and Gorton are looking into this as well. What happens in these cases usually is they try to extend but it falls through because the player wants to maximize their salary as a UFA with several teams interested. In this case, the decision is made for the Habs and you have to trade him.... if we are out of the playoff race.

Whoever signs Evans and the AAV/term is reasonable, they are getting some very good value for the next 3-5 years. He's a 200' player and does all the little things well. Starting to show some offensive potential which is a bonus. He's starting his prime like Lehkonen was when we traded him.

 

[Vitto79]

They can likely move Dvorak and Armia as long as they take a higher ufa contract back

Savard the likely retain

 

[dixie]

Habs can keep your spare parts! You ve been trying to trade these guys all year,and had no takers then!

 

[Habs Halifax]

Habs can keep your spare parts! You ve been trying to trade these guys all year,and had no takers then!

Don't confuse yourself with the massive Habs fan base and what our actual management is doing. Two completely different things. Habs fans and our media likes to talk themselves to death.

Savard and Dvorak will be traded but close to TDL. What will we get? Who knows. Dvorak is probably a 3rd or 4th rounder and Savard might be a 2nd and B prospect. Something like that. Doubt Savard gets a 1st this time around (even if he is a steady RD who performs well in the playoffs).

Do we trade Armia? Not sure. I think he wants to stay so we might extend him on a team friendly deal. He's a very useful bottom 6F.

Evans is the one who is playing very well. Habs have other young centers coming but there is a gap for when they will be ready. I think the Habs will prefer to keep Evans but depends on what he is after for a contract.

 

[Bell Centre Hotdog]

I feel this is a year where they should move their UFAs and try to obtain NHL ready youth to add. The Habs could look to add more picks and flip them with the load of picks they have in the upcoming draft in the first 3 rounds.

I feel the players even including Evans strike a deal while value is high. Evans I believe is having a career year and capitalizing on a contract season. Good on draws and great PKer. In all honesty Heineman, Evans, Armia in my opinion is one of the best 4th lines in hockey right now.

The Habs already got Savard's replacement in Carrier. Condotta, RHP, and a few could be called up after the deadline if needed.

The reason I bring up picks or NHL ready youth in return is because there is a few rebuilding teams this off-season which will look to go as young as possible. The Habs are in a position to obtain assome 24-26 yr old players who fit their window possibly by dangling multiple 1st's, 2nd's, and 3rd's. A real good chance to get really deep talent wise.

On the off-season look to get more size that can skate and physicality to add to the youth.

Demidov - have a look,

Free agency sign big right handers on defense in Perbix/Borgen. Then some grit up front in Brazeau and Olivier.

This team could take a huge jump forward next year.

Armia - Evans in the off-season maybe look to re-sign with the Habs after being dealt at the deadline.

Everyone help not returning. Dvorak, Pezzetta, Savard got all together.