Proposal: MTL-BOS

[Garbageyuk]

Whether you want him or not is not relevant to our conversation. I haven't once argued whether he would play center or wing. You slandered him as a player while pumping up Zacha, I disputed that.

Look how much better Bennett got in Florida, or how Cozens is doing right now in Ottawa. Sometimes a player just needs a change of scenery. Zegras is very likely one of those players.

Slandered? Get off it dude. I didn’t say anything that isn’t well known to be true. Are you arguing that he’s good defensively or good at faceoffs? They are also on very different trajectories the last couple years; that is also true, so what exactly about what I said do you have a problem with?

And as for the bolded, maybe so, but I wouldn’t be willing to give up the assets required to take the gamble on it. We did that twice with Dach and Newhook.

 

[HabsAddict]

We may not have to give up a major asset given that Verbeek is not keen on players like Z.

Hughes would not be doing his job if he doesn't kick the tires on Z. The change of scenery and his maturing may have a disproportionate effect and he becomes what many thought he could be. IF...a huge IF he takes that step forward and with his skill and vision meshing with what we think Demigod may be capable of...we could have off the charts duo. OR NOT.

I prefer to get McT but that is way, way out there in value that it would literally dig a hole in our team assets to acquire him.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

@Garbageyuk the value is not bad , I just think we should use the assets with a + for a better piece , Zacha plays alot of minutes all with Pasta so the point totals would fall off with lower minutes and lesser linemates , not sure why you are getting flamed by habs fans Zachas contract is also pretty good

 

[Garbageyuk]

@Garbageyuk the value is not bad , I just think we should use the assets with a + for a better piece , Zacha plays alot of minutes all with Pasta so the point totals would fall off with lower minutes and lesser linemates , not sure why you are getting flamed by habs fans Zachas contract is also pretty good

Fair enough, but what I like about targeting Zacha is that he wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, and he could act as a stop-gap C until one of Hage or Kapanen is ready to take over the 2C spot. There’s 2 years left on his deal, and the cap hit is low. He’s also young enough that he could possibly be the long term solution there as well. And he’s decent defensively and wins faceoffs.

I really don’t see any downside. As for the production part, you can never really know if a player’s production will drop. I don’t think it’s quite as simple as saying his production would drop when not playing with Pastrnak. Sure it could, but maybe he stops deferring so much on offense playing with someone else. Everyone thought Foegele’s numbers would tank away from the Oilers and he has set career highs this season.

 

[Garbageyuk]

I prefer to get McT but that is way, way out there in value that it would literally dig a hole in our team assets to acquire him.

Yeah he would cost way too much. He’s a nice player, but no thanks. Not sure why the Ducks would even be interested in trading him to begin with.

 

[Ford Prefect]

I don't know what role you want Zacha to play. I don't think Zacha is a #2 on a contending team. He's 14-31-45 playing with Pasta. Jake Evans is 12-21-33 playing a defensive role playing with 4th liners. I agree that there is more to a player than numbers, but your second line center has to produce if you're going to be successful.

If you want him for the 3rd line, then that would be different. He may make a great 3rd line center though. Reasonably signed for the next 2 seasons. I think the value is skewed towards Boston though. I'd give up one or the other, but not both. In fact, I'd lean towards the pick, as the window is just starting to open and Mailloux can help sooner. Maybe a later pick or depth player to even it out one way or the other.

Of course, it wouldn't matter. If these two teams traded with one another, it's obvious that the apocalypse has arrived, and no one will be watching hockey.

 

[Rob Sense]

To MTL:

• Pavel Zacha

To BOS:

• ‘25 1st round pick (MTL’s own or CGY pick, whichever is higher)
• Choice of Owen Beck/Logan Mailloux

just NO

 

[Doublechin]

I don't get why Habs fan want Zacha, a guy pacing 45 points while play with Pasternak, Newhook probably has more offensive upside and has shown to be quite useful as a middle of the lineup C

And both aren't the answer to what we want, a real top 6 C

 

[Garbageyuk]

I don't get why Habs fan want Zacha, a guy pacing 45 points while play with Pasternak, Newhook probably has more offensive upside and has shown to be quite useful as a middle of the lineup C

And both aren't the answer to what we want, a real top 6 C

I think it’s pretty clear at this point that Newhook is never going to be a full-time center in the NHL. He can fill in there in a pinch when needed, but his game is really not suited to it - he’s not a play driver or distributor, he’s not good defensively, he’s not good at faceoffs, and he just lacks the IQ for the position at the NHL level. He’s a decent middle-six winger, and he plays better on the wing because he isn’t forced to focus on things he isn’t good at.

 

[Xirik]

I don't get the issue, You don't want to pay in top prospects or top picks so the high end Centers aren't going to be available. Zacha gives you two years on a good contract to have Demidov on his wing. Almost every team needs a good Center so it will be hard to get one on the UFA market since 31 teams will also be throwing money that them.

 

[HuGo Sham]

To MTL:

• Pavel Zacha

To BOS:

• ‘25 1st round pick (MTL’s own or CGY pick, whichever is higher)
• Choice of Owen Beck/Logan Mailloux

no thx from montreal

 

[Baksfamous112]

I don't get the issue, You don't want to pay in top prospects or top picks so the high end Centers aren't going to be available. Zacha gives you two years on a good contract to have Demidov on his wing. Almost every team needs a good Center so it will be hard to get one on the UFA market since 31 teams will also be throwing money that them.

Where are the high-end centers offered in this thread? Because I don’t see any and yeah, top picks and top prospects are definitely available for not for a guy like Zacha, sorry.

 

[Garbageyuk]

Where are the high-end centers offered in this thread? Because I don’t see any and yeah, top picks and top prospects are definitely available for not for a guy like Zacha, sorry.

And none were included in the proposal.

 

[BLNY]

Rumor at last draft was Zegras and 2nd 2024 from 26th overall 2024 and Mailloux. No way they give a mid 1st and Mailloux for Zacha

Yah. That wasn't happening.

 

[BLNY]

To MTL:

• Pavel Zacha

To BOS:

• ‘25 1st round pick (MTL’s own or CGY pick, whichever is higher)
• Choice of Owen Beck/Logan Mailloux

If you think he can get back to 60 point pace, it's probably a fair deal. Whether he'd waive his M-NTC is another thing.

 

[Lockin17]

I don't get why Habs fan want Zacha, a guy pacing 45 points while play with Pasternak, Newhook probably has more offensive upside and has shown to be quite useful as a middle of the lineup C

And both aren't the answer to what we want, a real top 6 C

Good point right there !!!

 

[Fire Sweeney]

Start with Huston, and add on from there.

 

[Garbageyuk]

Start with Huston, and add on from there.

I’m sure we can find you a Huston, no problem.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Rumor? Has anyone here heard this before?

One of those things Montreal fan base ran with

 

[wintersej]

Fair enough, but what I like about targeting Zacha is that he wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, and he could act as a stop-gap C until one of Hage or Kapanen is ready to take over the 2C spot. There’s 2 years left on his deal, and the cap hit is low. He’s also young enough that he could possibly be the long term solution there as well. And he’s decent defensively and wins faceoffs.

I really don’t see any downside. As for the production part, you can never really know if a player’s production will drop. I don’t think it’s quite as simple as saying his production would drop when not playing with Pastrnak. Sure it could, but maybe he stops deferring so much on offense playing with someone else. Everyone thought Foegele’s numbers would tank away from the Oilers and he has set career highs this season.

I do think it’s in his nature to defer.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Terrible for Montreal.

Start with Huston, and add on from there.

Huston + Demidsov for Zahca?

 

[Xirik]

Wonder what Prospects and picks Hab's fans are willing to give up for a "real top 6 C".

 

[Garbageyuk]

Wonder what Prospects and picks Hab's fans are willing to give up for a "real top 6 C".

My first option would be to try to sign Duchene this summer, but I doubt he’d sign here, so I think this would be a good plan B to explore if they can’t land him.

I think the popular sentiment among most of the fanbase, however, is to acquire a young top-six C or a C prospect with elite upside. The Habs aren’t getting one of those without Demidov, Slafkovsky, or Guhle+ being on the table, depending on who it is. And that is precisely why I’m against it - you’re robbing Peter to pay Paul in that scenario.

Of course, there are some delusional fans who think they’re going to get a C like that without including the above mentioned pieces. Not happening.

The best course, imo, is to acquire a stopgap C while we wait to see if one of Kapanen or Hage emerges as a top-six C. A guy like Zacha would be perfect, if we can’t sign Duchene or someone similar.

 

[Bottle Rocket]

This proposal is garbage. Yuk!

 

[Garbageyuk]

This proposal is garbage. Yuk!

Lame, unoriginal whining aside, what do you think is a fair price then for a 2C in his prime? Just curious, since you had no problem making a trollish whiny comment that contributes nothing to the topic.