How would YOU navigate the deadline

[Victoire HuGo]

So this is a pretty heated debate and to be honest one of the stances is not one I've seen too often for a team in Montreal's position (have so many assets, not worth selling or discouraging players)

To avoid revisionist history/people flip flopping on their opinion down the stretch, what would you do if you were Hughes?

A) Trade only the ones with great value and stick to your guns and risk losing for nothing.
B) Trade all rentals at any price.
C) Sell AND buy like WSH or PHI did.
D) Buy.
E) Do nothing and shop no one.

Click to read more...

 

[WeThreeKings]

I'm only selling for prospects that I like or picks in rounds 2 or higher.

If I sell anyone then I'm looking at helping other moves by taking back expiring contracts that could replace the players I let go.

And I'd be checking on availability of anyone with term or could be extended like a Rasmus Andersson or a Mathew Barzal.

 

[BJCOLLINS]

I’d be listening more than talking and making it clear we’re not interested in 3rd-7th round picks. Look for package deals and try to resign Evans. I really like Savard but I’d also like to see Trudeau, Engstrom, Mailloux & Reinbacher get some reps if we’re not going to compete in the dance.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

It depends are many pts we are from a PO spot. It depends if we win tonight.

 

[the]

Sell everything

 

[BLNY]

I said sell and buy.

Sell - UFAs. I get keeping Evans if the value isn't there. There's only so many middling picks a team can use.
Buy - if there's a move to get someone that fits the core group that uses a prospect from a position of depth and picks.

 

[Paddyjack]

I said sell and buy.

Sell - UFAs. I get keeping Evans if the value isn't there. There's only so many middling picks a team can use.
Buy - if there's a move to get someone that fits the core group that uses a prospect from a position of depth and picks.

I'm a bit in the same boat. I would like the team to acquire a 2C, a la Monahan, for this season and the next. Something to make us stronger short term until youngsters take the spot. Some playoffs next year could be good for development

 

[themilosh]

I said sell and buy.

Sell - UFAs. I get keeping Evans if the value isn't there. There's only so many middling picks a team can use.
Buy - if there's a move to get someone that fits the core group that uses a prospect from a position of depth and picks.

If the UFAs we want to keep won't sign then they must be traded. Ffs Colorado can send Rantanen packing, we can do the same with Evans.

 

[CharleyHorse]

Sell everything

Everything? The kitchen sink too? No, not the kitchen sink, you can't!

 

[BLNY]

If the UFAs we want to keep won't sign then they must be traded. Ffs Colorado can send Rantanen packing, we can do the same with Evans.

My point was that a meager pick doesn't really move the needle for a team with 21 picks in the next two drafts. Keeping Evans and pushing for the playoffs may be of more value to the core group. What do you consider a comparable return for Evans to the Rantanen deal?

 

[the]

Everything? The kitchen sink too? No, not the kitchen sink, you can't!

Everything got to go!!!

 

[ML16]

Sell and buy, if the prices are right:

If a stop-gap middle-6 C (O’Reilly?) can be bought and Evans sticks to his alleged demand (4M AAV), I’d sell the latter if at least a 2nd is on the table.

If no stop-gap, I’d part with Evan’s for a (late) 1st or 2 x 2nd, otherwise I keep him.

If Armia at 50% fetches a 2nd, I sell.

Not enough potential value to consider trading Dvorak or Savard

 

[Habs13]

First, I'd make another thread about it

 

[Ozmodiar]

The 2 remaining games won’t make a difference.

Target picks in the top 45. There are playoff teams who have acquired 2nd round picks, top half.

I might hold out for a 1st for Evans. If he stays, and maintains his scoring pace of late, the asking price on the contract come down.

Lay groundwork for a trade for the 2C.

 

[PhysicX]

If NJ is that interested in Evans, Armia and co, I'd inquire hard on Dawson Mercer. I like the player and just have a hunch he'd be a great add to this team.
Having said that, with Jack Hughes injured, I have no idea what NJ will do. I don't even know if Mercer is available

 

[Victoire HuGo]

First, I'd make another thread about it

There are no poll to see general feeling/call out the people backpedaling in the summer

 

[badfish]

I voted sell and buy. Very specifically I would do the following:

1. Trade Evans & Armia: If a clear opportunities to move Evans and/or Armia in hockey trades, I would pursue it. However, most buyers are reluctant to part with roster or nearly graduated prospects at this time of year because they are good for playoff depth. I'd consider a first round pick for them as well, but might try to target 2026 to keep building the war chest in future years.

2. Don't trade Savard: I doubt he holds more than a mid-round pick value at this stage in his career. I'd just hold onto him, let the contract ride out, and let him walk. Doing it shows the Habs can be accommodating and put players first, like they did when they accommodated Petry to Detroit, which is a good reputation to have for UFAs as the competitive window opens.

3. Explore a bargain-bin depth center acquisition: I'd try to acquire someone like Nico Sturm. He's on an expiring contract. He's a fourth line center, strong on faceoffs, left handed, penalty killer, etc. Has size and playoff experience. I'd try to extend him for a couple years to bridge the gap with Evans and Dvorak likely leaving. I would guess a 3rd for Sturm?

4. Also a bargain-bin like acquisition on defense: I would try to get Connor Murphy out of Chicago. He has size, right handedness, more of a defensive player. I'd pair him with Hutson for the rest of the season while shifting Savard to 7th defenseman. With a year left on his contract beyond this year he can be a bridge to allow Reinbacher and Mailloux to graduate. I wonder if a 2nd and a prospect might do it?

 

[Tuggy]

I'm not really sure at this point.

I don't just sell to sell (not really interested in 5th round picks).

It's hard to really say, because I don't know what teams are offering for Evans, Armia, Dvorak and Savard.

The Dach injury complicates things down the middle. The is legit right there in the playoff race. If you trade Evans and/or Dvorak, then they'd need to bring in a center.

I think they trade Evans/Armia and hold on to Dvorak/Savard. I don't think Dvorak and Savard have huge value. Dvorak can walk in the offseason and wouldn't shock me to see Savard brought back on a 1-2 year deal.

 

[habamillions]

I said sell and buy. If a team is desperate and offers a 1st for say armia and evans package have to take it. But havs have a ton of picks and can use those to acquire a player ready now. Hughes can do a number of things or stand pat. Sounds like a politicians answer. It would be pretty deflating to the team to just outright sell though

 

[Hacketts]

add someone interesting.

 

[Habssince89]

I would sell but with a focus on bringing in players who can help us now and into the next few seasons. Carrier is a good example of that. Hope we land a C

 

[LesCactus]

The only players I’d prioritize selling are Evans & Dvorak. I’m a fan of Evans but he’s a pending FA whose asking price is higher than what the team is willing to pay, and I don’t want to lose him for nothing. Dvorak is a player who brings nothing to the table and is someone that should be sold ASAP.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Ideally, we sell Armia + Evans for a 1st+, and we buy a top 6 center with term

That way
- we don't lose our free agents for nothing
- we improve our chance at making the playoffs this year
- we improve long term

 

[McGees]

Trade all UFAs that we aren’t bringing back.

Period.

 

[Be a Hab]

We have a huge hole at 2C that we need to address