Speculation: MTL/WPG McGroarty for Mesar, 2025 1st (FLO/CGY) & Barron (Slovak media)

[Chose]

According to a Slovak media, Habs offer for McGroarty was leaked:

To MTL:
McGroarty

To WPG:
Filip Mesar
2025 1st (FLO/CGY)
Justin Barron or Jordan Harris

Winnipeg apparently refused.

Is this close ? I would have done such a trade from MTL's POV

Click to read more...

 

[RedHawkDown]

If that is true, WPG is insane for refusing that.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

That seems like way too much. But maybe I’m looking at it the wrong way.

 

[Baksfamous112]

It’s not necessarily a bad value trade but I do think Winnipeg can do better in the sense that that can get less quantity and better quality

 

[montreal]

The Habs media is saying that the only offer was based on Demidov not being there at 5th and once he was all offers were taken off the table.

 

[howkie]

Na, rather have 1 good piece than 3 maybes.

 

[CTHabsfan]

Sounds more like a random fan proposal rather than legitimate news. You can also find a story discussing Max Pacioretty reuniting with the Canadiens, which is based on Blain Potvin of The Hockey Writers stating, “some are hoping to see Max Pacioretty return to Montreal as a UFA" and doesn't include the Canadiens showing any interest of bringing him back.

 

[LeProspector]

If that is true, WPG is insane for refusing that.

How? none of those pieces come close to being as valuable as McGroarty will be.

Mesar looks really disappointing as a first round pick, Barron/Harris are bottom pairing defenders and the pick is going to be a late first. Quantity, not quality.

McGroarty looks like an impact top-6 guy. None of those pieces come close to that.

 

[Satan]

This some Ryder Halak and a 2nd type shit

 

[CTHabsfan]

Na, rather have 1 good piece than 3 maybes.

McGroarty hasn't played a game in the NHL and is not considered a generational talent. He is also a maybe.

 

[red devil]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1811755202078257413

 

[Jared Dunn]

Wow I am definitely for the idea of trading for this kid but I hope the price wouldn't be quite that high. tbh I thought a fair package would be Mesar + Barron/Struble + 2nd but bumping that to a 1st just seems too much

 

[Snowman]

You can understand why Chevy turned that down. Not a single quality piece.

 

[BKarchitect]

I’m very leery of Mesar’s transition to the NHL despite some obvious skills. No such concerns with McGroarty who is going to shine in a high level physical game.

I think this would be an absolute no-brainer for Montreal…McGroarty would be the perfect complimentary piece to what they are building up front. Having him oppo of Demidov or Slaf next to Suzuki would potentially create a really, really complete line and lots of options.

For Winnipeg it’s a bunch of stuff…some upside I guess but I certainly wouldn’t love it. But it’s a tough situation. And Chevy could sell the optics of it as “we got two firsts!” (Or even three, if you want to be completely disingenuous and try to sell Barron as a key piece) even if a deeper dive is less appealing than the first glance reaction.

I think any Habs fan who says they wouldn’t do this is absolutely nuts. This is why you collect lots of assets. To get the finishing touch stud pieces.

 

[sxvnert]

Better something than nothing which is probably what the Jets will end up with.

 

[FlappyGiraffe]

I’m very leery of Mesar’s transition to the NHL despite some obvious skills. No such concerns with McGroarty who is going to shine in a high level physical game.

I think this would be an absolute no-brainer for Montreal…McGroarty would be the perfect complimentary piece to what they are building up front. Having him oppo of Demidov or Slaf next to Suzuki would potentially create a really, really complete line and lots of options.

For Winnipeg it’s a bunch of stuff…some upside I guess but I certainly wouldn’t love it. But it’s a tough situation. And Chevy could sell the optics of it as “we got two firsts!” (Or even three, if you want to be completely disingenuous and try to sell Barron as a key piece) even if a deeper dive is less appealing than the first glance reaction.

I think any Habs fan who says they wouldn’t do this is absolutely nuts. This is why you collect lots of assets. To get the finishing touch stud pieces.

Yeah I get top AHL scorer but not good enough for full-time NHL vibes from Mesar, would hate getting him as the main piece for Rutger.

If we got Barron/Harris that means we put them or Heinola on waivers in October so that's pretty useless for us as well. The first is a first but I'd rather keep shopping for a different package

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Its fake news

https://x.com/i/web/status/1811656354739683502

 

[Eegs]

The Habs media is saying that the only offer was based on Demidov not being there at 5th and once he was all offers were taken off the table.

Which to me is odd because Demidov and McGroaty are such different players.

 

[FlappyGiraffe]

Better something than nothing which is probably what the Jets will end up with.

Can't recycle the old PLD lines this time, we get 47th overall if Rutger stays in college 2 more years.

 

[Rush2112]

That’s a hell of an overpayment by the Habs for a mid level 1st round pick that can’t skate.

 

[Colezuki]

Can't recycle the old PLD lines this time, we get 47th overall if Rutger stays in college 2 more years.

Not that I disagree with this in principal, because if a team does beat it absolutely go trade with them, but if the offer was that WPG would be wild to not take it no? Like no team is going to spite themselves because of fans being petty on a message board and chevy would absolutely take that over getting the 47th overall.

Barron is a young puckmoving D, likely in the 3-5 mold at his potential, Mesar is not living up to expectations but he's still got an outside shot in a few years as a depth scorer and getting the flames /panthers pick has some wild boom bust potential between getting a pick in the 11-15 range or a 25-30 range pick. It's not some trash offer for a player who hasn't actually played a game in the show yet.