Our most valuable assets in a potential trade.

[Goldenhands]

Since we have accumulated the draft picks over the past few years and that our scouting staff did a tremendous job, Kent Hughes now publicly mentions his intentions to move some of those young assets in order to acquire one or more quality roster players that fit the age group of that young core moving foward. Thats good news for Habs fans in general that have been quite patient through the process, the team is going to be even more competitive and bright days are adead for the franchise.

However, to acquire quality, you need to give up good young players or high draft picks and as Kent Hughes mentionned, they will likely have to overpay in that regard, what comes with hurts of course as some kids that we have been following and fell in love with will attract alot of attention from NHL GMs, they will target our best prospects or highest draft picks.

We all have different lists and rank them different ways, but here is mine and how I rank them mainly based on projection at that point.

1-Demidov
2-Reinbacher
3-Volokhin
4-Fowler
5-Hage
6-Mailloux
7-Engstrom
8-Dobes
9-Kapanen
10-Konyushkov
11-Beck
12-Xhekaj
13-Tuch
14-Davidson
15-Rohrer
16-Farrell
17-Trudeau
18-Roy
19- Mesar
20-Koivu

HM: Harris, Bergqvist, Thorpe, Protz, Sawyer, Eriksson

Thats my own list and Habs brass probably have theirs, but if Im a GM from another team, those are who I would target 1st personally.

Now, there is a difference between what I personally think and what value those kids realistically have on the market, for exemple, Im pretty sure Volokhin has little value at that point vs a kid like Fowler who got much more exposure in the NCAA. Fowler's stats are incredible and kid won several awards, he is a prime prospect who is ready to graduate in the AHL. Dobes has more value than Volokhin as well.

The point is, what if Habs brass think as highly of Volokhin as I do? Not only we hit a potential homerun in the 5th round, but we now have 3 bluechip goaltender prospects in the pipeline, what becomes a beautiful problem to have, but still a situation to handle properly.

In that regard, for me, Demidov and Reinbacher become our only untouchable prospects, Demidov is demigod, Reinbacher a potential all situations top RD and you dont trade that, thats tougher to get than a solid 2C.

All that being said, here is a list of our most valuable assets (according to me) that I would be inclined to part with even if I love them as much as anyone:

1-Michael Hage

Hage is an awesome prospect with top 6 potential, but if we can get a solid and proven 2C back, I would hate to trade him as much emotionally as rationally, but I dont see him as untouchable.

2-Jacob Fowler

There is alot to like about this kid, great personality, great talent, but slightly undersized for the position and with Volokhin, Dobes in the pipeline, Is he still an untouchable? Probably yes for you, but Im still asking the question regardless.

3-Jakub Dobes

With 3 great goaltenders, Dobes surely holds pretty good value in a package deal.

4-Logan Mailloux

There is no denying that Mailloux has top 4 talent level, but his inconsistent play defensively has making you wonder if there is a fit for him in the big picture. Still, with his size and skills, Mailloux should attract alot of attention from other GMs.

5- Owen Beck

I like Beck, but Im maybe a little lower on him than most. I see him as a cant miss prospect and valuable player, but more in a bottom line role + good penalities killer. Things would have been a little different if we didnt re-sign Evans, but for me Beck has high probabilities to be packaged in a deal, especially with Kapanen in the pipeline who has more to offer offensively IMO.

6- Adam Engstrom

Ill be honest, Ive been a bit disappointed by this kid this year, more because I had very high expectations than for being bad. Kid is a strong effortless skater with good puck poise, Im certainly not giving up on him yet, but will need to become overall more solid in order to play in the NHL. Still has very good potential and could attract some love on the market.

7-Florian Xhekaj

Xhekaj is the prototype bottom liner every teams want and need on their team, I dont think his value is that high at this point, but I wouldnt be surprised if teams ask for him since he can do alot of things on the ice, including fighting. I would absolutely hate to let him go though.

8- Josh Roy

Roy is at the point in his carreer where he needs to prove he can play on a top 6 cause thats not the type of player you want on a bottom 6.

The list could go on, but we enter a more marginal prospects group, so lets discuss this guys, your opinion is as good as mine.

 

[vokiel]

1. Hutson
2. Demidov
3. Reinbacher
4. Hage
5. Fowler
6. Dobes
7. Beck/Kapanen
9. Mailloux/Engstrom

 

[DAChampion]

For GMs around the league I wonder how many of those prospects rank higher than the two 1sts.

Would other GMs rank Beck or Fowler above the Calgary 1st?

 

[WinterLion]

For GMs around the league I wonder how many of those prospects rank higher than the two 1sts.

Would other GMs rank Beck or Fowler above the Calgary 1st?

I think that depends a lot on timeline. Some GM's might value guys closer to being ready.

 

[BLNY]

I can't help but come at it from the other side of the coin. Tell me who the target is and I'll make a decision on who I'm willing to part with. For example, Demidov isn't going anywhere as part of a package without a superstar coming back. Ideally a center. I think Hage is the real deal, and it's hard sentimentally to move kid because of his story and his love for the team. Still, he would seem the logical choice. I think Kapanen and Beck have less upside, but they're more likely to excel in a two-way role.

If Wyatt Johnston hadn't signed his extension a couple of weeks ago, that's someone who'd have been on my list for an offer sheet.

Do the Jets move Vilardi due to financial constraints in the current climate? I'd move Michael Hage a lottery protected pick.

Would the Sabres move Thompson? Are the Habs on his NTC list? Kyrou, whose NTC doesn't kick in until July 1? I'd offer Hage, lottery protected first, and a lesser piece.

 

[Goldenhands]

For GMs around the league I wonder how many of those prospects rank higher than the two 1sts.

Would other GMs rank Beck or Fowler above the Calgary 1st?

Beck definitely not, Fowler probably not either since goaltenders are easier to get past the 1st round. I would say a 11-12th OV this year has about the same value as a Michael Hage. Thats a weak draft, but one of Lakovic, Hensler, Desnoyers, Mrtka will likely drop to that spot. I would totally trade that first and keep Hage though.

 

[JadedRandom]

Beck definitely not, Fowler probably not either since goaltenders are easier to get past the 1st round. I would say a 11-12th OV this year has about the same value as a Michael Hage. Thats a weak draft, but one of Lakovic, Hensler, Desnoyers, Mrtka will likely drop to that spot. I would totally trade that first and keep Hage though.

If Desnoyers is there at #11-12, trade Hage and the first, whatever, sprint to the podium to draft Desnoyers, and just enjoy the ride.

There's lots of time yet for GMs' and scouts' minds to change, but right now Desnoyers is tracking to be a top-6/7 pick in this year's draft. And if he falls, it will be another case of Zeev Buium and Sam Dickinson.

At 11-12, we're looking at possibly Eklund, Mrtka, Hensler, Lakovic, those types of prospects. We'd have an outside shot at O'Brien and McQueen depending on what happens at the top of the draft.

 

[Goldenhands]

If Desnoyers is there at #11-12, trade Hage and the first, draft Desnoyers, and profit like mad off of it.

Desnoyers will be a top-6/7 pick in this year's draft. And if he falls, it will be another case of Zeev Buium and Sam Dickinson, w

Ive changed my mind a bit on Desnoyers, I still like him but I find his game, his skating particulary lacks dynamism, his offensive skills also are good, but not great. I find he benefits from playing with 2 great CHLers in Pekarcik and Sumpf, thats easily one of the top lines in the entire CHL. I see Desnoyers as a solid middle 6, no guarentee he ends up on the top 6 IMO.

Im not sure I would swap Hage for Desnoyers either, Hage is a better skater and a better shooter.

 

[nhlfan9191]

If Desnoyers is there at #11-12, trade Hage and the first, whatever, sprint to the podium to draft Desnoyers, and just enjoy the ride.

There's lots of time yet for GMs' and scouts' minds to change, but right now Desnoyers is tracking to be a top-6/7 pick in this year's draft. And if he falls, it will be another case of Zeev Buium and Sam Dickinson.

At 11-12, we're looking at possibly Eklund, Mrtka, Hensler, Lakovic, those types of prospects. We'd have an outside shot at O'Brien and McQueen depending on what happens at the top of the draft.

I wouldn’t move Hage. I may be suffering from the Poehling effect, but I think he’s going to be a really important player for us a few years from now.

 

[JadedRandom]

Ive changed my mind a bit on Desnoyers, I still like him but I find his game, his skating particulary lacks dynamism, his offensive skills also are good, but not great. I find he benefits from playing with 2 great CHLers in Pekarcik and Sumpf, thats easily one of the top lines in the entire CHL. I see Desnoyers as a solid middle 6, no guarentee he ends up on the top 6 IMO.

Im not sure I would swap Hage for Desnoyers either, Hage is a better skater and a better shooter.

I agree on Hage being a better skater and shooter in his draft year in isolation. But Desnoyers is much better along the boards, a better passer, miles ahead defensively in his draft year vs. Michael Hage's draft year while also being bigger/stronger on the puck and in the cycle too.

You start looking at playstyles, and the difference becomes even more apparent as Desnoyers plays a much-more pro-ready type of game vs. Hage's current position-less type of approach.

To add, I've watched Hage a lot in the NCAA, and I really like what he's done for Michigan overall, his high-end transition plays in particular are awesome to see, he has sweet mitts and good hockey sense to go with near-elite skating too.

But the more I watch Hage play the less I see a future NHL center in him, and the more I start seeing him as a future winger in the show.

Desnoyers being a sure-shot center, with #2 center potential (vs. first-line upside but less chance to reach it for Hage) means that I choose him every day of the two. Though as I've said, I REALLY like Hage and I mean no disrespect to our boy.

two-way game is still work in progress whereas Desnoyers might not have Hage's ceiling offensively but he has a much better two-way game.

 

[Goldenhands]

I agree on Hage being a better skater and shooter in his draft year in isolation. But Desnoyers is much better along the boards, a better passer, miles ahead defensively in his draft year vs. Michael Hage's draft year while also being bigger/stronger on the puck and in the cycle too.

You start looking at playstyles, and the difference becomes even more apparent as Desnoyers plays a much-more pro-ready type of game vs. Hage's current position-less type of approach.

To add, I've watched Hage a lot in the NCAA, and I really like what he's done for Michigan overall, his high-end transition plays in particular are awesome to see, he has sweet mitts and good hockey sense to go with near-elite skating too.

But the more I watch Hage play the less I see a future NHL center in him, and the more I start seeing him as a future winger in the show.

Desnoyers being a sure-shot center, with #2 center potential (vs. first-line upside but less chance to reach it for Hage) means that I choose him every day of the two. Though as I've said, I REALLY like Hage and I mean no disrespect to our boy.

two-way game is still work in progress whereas Desnoyers might not have Hage's ceiling offensively but he has a much better two-way game.

You have some valid points. I will start by saying that I havent watched Hage at all in his draft year, so cant really comment on how he handled himself outside the fact that his 2-way game tremendously improved as the season went on, thats at least what credible folks were saying about him. This year, I havent watched alot of his games either, maybe 5-6 since the team was trash to watch and that Hage had no one to plays with, but I really liked what I saw in those viewings. I think he kept working hard on his game and I liked his involvment in all 3 zones. Now Is Desnoyers better at cycling the puck, possible, is he better defensively, possible, but Im still not sold that Desnoyers can be a good 2C down the road, in my last viewings Sumpf was taking the draws, Desnoyers on the wing.

And even if Hage end up as a winger himself, I think the difference is marginal between both prospects. Persoanlly I wouldnt trade Hage for Desnoyers 1 on 1, still less adding the calgary pick, thats insane to me. The only players i would move Hage + Flames 1st would be Frondell and Misa.

 

[JadedRandom]

You have some valid points. I will start by saying that I havent watched Hage at all in his draft year, so cant really comment on how he handled himself outside the fact that his 2-way game tremendously improved as the season went on, thats at least what credible folks were saying about him. This year, I havent watched alot of his games either, maybe 5-6 since the team was trash to watch and that Hage had no one to plays with, but I really liked what I saw in those viewings. I think he kept working hard on his game and liked his involvment in all 3 zones. Now Is Desnoyers better at cycling the puck, possible, is he better defensively, possible, but Im still not sold that Desnoyers can be a good 2C down the road, in my last viewings Sumpf was taking the draw, Desnoyers on the wing.

And even if Hage end up as a winger himself, I think the difference is marginal between prospect. Persoanlly I wouldnt trade Hage for Desnoyers 1 on 1, still less adding the calgary pick, thats insane to me. The only players i would move Hage + Flames 1st would be Frondell and Misa.

In the scenario I highlighted, we'd draft Desnoyers to hopefully develop as a #2 center long-term, and trade Hage + other first to try and shore-up one of our team's weakness, either at D or on C.

In no way, shape, or form did I say that Desnoyers>Hage+1st.

What I said was that Desnoyers and what we'd get for Hage + 1st would trump keeping Hage and trading both picks instead for the same type of roster upgrade.

 

[vokiel]

For GMs around the league I wonder how many of those prospects rank higher than the two 1sts.

Would other GMs rank Beck or Fowler above the Calgary 1st?

If you trust McKenzie's opinion that mid-first will be like 2nd, I'd say they're about the same.

 

[Scintillating10]

Since we have accumulated the drafts picks over the past few years and that our scouting staff did a tremendous job, Kent Hughes now publicly mentions his intentions to move some of those young assets to acquire one or more quality roster players that fit the age group of that young core moving foward. Thats good news for Habs fans in general that have been quite patient through the process, the team is going to be even more competitive and bright days are adead for the franchise.

However, to acquire quality, you need to give up good young players or high draft picks and as Kent Hughes mentionned, they will likely need to overpay in that regard, what comes with hurts of course as some kids that we have been following and fell in love with will attract alot of attention from NHL GMs, they will target our best prospects or highest draft picks.

We all have different lists and rank them different ways, but here is mine and how I rank them mainly based on projection at that point.

Prospect Info: Thread '**New Top 10 Prospect List**'

Jun 29, 2024

Alright, now that the 1st round is over, what does your new Top 10 Prospect list look like?

This is mine

1- Demidov
2- Hutson
3- Reinbacher
4- Mailloux
5- Hage
6- Beck
7- Fowler
8- Engstrom
9- Xhekaj
10- Kapanen

Just outside- Mesar, Konyushkov

Graduated- Joshua Roy

• FrankMTL
• Replies: 179
• Forum: Montreal Canadiens

• 

(post 151)

Thats my own list and Habs brass probably have theirs, but if Im a GM from another team, those are who I would target 1st personally.

Now, there is a difference between what I personally think and what value those kids realistically have on the market, for exemple, Im pretty sure Volokhin has little value at that point vs a kid like Fowler who got much more exposure in the NCAA. Fowler's stats are incredible and kid won several awards, he is a prime prospect who is ready to graduate in the AHL. Dobes has more value than Volokhin as well.

The point is, what if Habs brass think as highly of Volokhin as I do? Not only we hit a potential homerun in the 5th round, but we now have 3 bluechip goaltender prospects in the pipeline, what becomes a beautiful problem to have, but still a situation to handle properly.

In that regard, for me, Demidov and Reinbacher become our only untouchable prospects, Demidov is demigod, Reinbacher a potential all situations top RD and you dont trade that, thats tougher to get than a solid 2C.

All that being said, here is list of our more valuable assets (according to me) that I would be inclined to part with even if I love them as much as anyone:

1-Michael Hage

Hage is an awesome prospect with top 6 potential, but if we can get a solid and proven 2C back, I would hate to trade him as much emotionally as rationally, but I dont see him as untouchable.

2-Jacob Folwer

There is alot to like about this kid, great personality, great talent, but slightly undersized for the position and with Volokhin, Dobes in the pipeline, Is he still an untouchable? Probably yes for you, but Im still asking the question regardless.

3-Dobes

With 3 great goaltenders, Dobes surely holds pretty good value in a package deal.

4-Logan Mailloux

There is no denying that Mailloux has top 4 talent level, but his inconsistent play defensively has making you wonder if there is a fit for him in the big picture. Still, with his size and skills, Mailloux still should attract alot of attention from other GMs.

5- Owen Beck

I like Beck, but Im maybe a little lower on him than most. I see him as a cant miss prospect and valuable player, but more in a bottom line role + good penalities killer. Things would have been a little different if we didnt re-sign Evans, but for me Beck has high probabilities to be packaged in a deal, especially with Kapanen in the pipeline who has more to offer offensively IMO.

6- Adam Engstrom

Ill be honest, Ive been a bit disappointed by this kid this year, more because I had very high expectations than for being bad. Kid is a strong effortless skater with good puck poise, Im certainly not giving up on him yet, but will need to become overall more solid in order to play in the NHL. Still has very good potential and could attract some love on the market.

7-Florian Xhekaj

Xhekaj is the prototype bottom liner every teams want and need on their team, I dont think his value is that high at this point, but I wouldnt be surprised if teams ask for him since he can do alot of things on the ice, including fighting. I would absolutely hate to let him go though.

8- Josh Roy

Roy is at the point in his carreer where he needs to prove he can play on a top 6 cause thats not the type of player you want on a bottom 6.

The list could go on, but we enter a more marginal prospects group, so lets discuss this guys, your opinion is as good as mine.

I would look to package our two first together and move up and draft a Desnoyers or Frondell type.

Next I would sign a #2 center. If we can't have to trade for one but try UFA first. It's imperative we get right center, this team could be scary. With the Russian coming over next season. Montreal would have two great offensive lines.

To go with the character we have in bottom 6. In Anderson, Gallagher, Evans. It would make a dynamic forward group.

Hutson playing well on right side. Hutson, Reinbacher and Carrier on right side. Makes Guhle, Matheson and Wifi on left side. Struble the 7th guy and Engstrom maturing in Laval. That's a good defense.

In '26 Carey Price contract off the books, cap going up and Dach, Laine and Matheson likely moving on be around 30 million to spend. Habs could do some serious damage summer of '26.

 

[Schooner Guy]

Ive changed my mind a bit on Desnoyers, I still like him but I find his game, his skating particulary lacks dynamism, his offensive skills also are good, but not great. I find he benefits from playing with 2 great CHLers in Pekarcik and Sumpf, thats easily one of the top lines in the entire CHL. I see Desnoyers as a solid middle 6, no guarentee he ends up on the top 6 IMO.

Im not sure I would swap Hage for Desnoyers either, Hage is a better skater and a better shooter.

HP who I often find a few steps ahead of the draft cycle pace of the other public draft lists has Desnoyers at #14 in its mid-Feb rankings. That's by far the lowest I have seen him ranked. It will be interesting to see if he falls on other lists in the next 3 months.

And yes, if the Habs do acquire a true #2 center that they covet this offseason, they will need to move a high end prospect or two along with a high draft pick or more that will look like an overpay.

 

[waitin425]

In terms of tradable players, I look at our pipeline in either/or scenarios.

Demidov and Reinbacher are theoretically untouchable, because I would only trade them for players that are probably unavailable. So lets not even talk about them.

In terms of upgrading our 2c and a top 4 RD, I would consider varying packages consisting of the following. All depending on who the player is.

Any 1st round pick this year and next.
Hage or Beck
Dobes or Fowler
Mailloux or Engstrom

In the above categories I would be hesitant to trade both players. So again...either/or

 

[Redux91]

In terms of tradable players, I look at our pipeline in either/or scenarios.

Demidov and Reinbacher are theoretically untouchable, because I would only trade them for players that are probably unavailable. So lets not even talk about them.

In terms of upgrading our 2c and a top 4 RD, I would consider varying packages consisting of the following. All depending on who the player is.

Any 1st round pick this year and next.
Hage or Beck
Dobes or Fowler
Mailloux or Engstrom

In the above categories I would be hesitant to trade both players. So again...either/or

No way
Fowler is close to untouchable.

 

[Naslund]

Too many LD again. One of them will be traded at the draft. IMO, Xhekaj is gone. Struble is a better defenseman. Engstrom is as well. His brother can replace the physicality if we lose A. Xhekaj.

 

[waitin425]

No way
Fowler is close to untouchable.

Fowler is an absolute stud. Untouchable?

I'd consider him in a package for a 2c or top 4RD at this point.

Dobson for Fowler + better of our two firsts?

Done IMO.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

For GMs around the league I wonder how many of those prospects rank higher than the two 1sts.

Would other GMs rank Beck or Fowler above the Calgary 1st?

It depends what level of rebuild a team is.

If the team has just started, then the 1sts are always better.

If the team is ready to turn the page soon in a year, or two and get where they want to make the playoffs/ be in the mix, then a player like Beck, or Fowler might be of interest, as Beck should be ready for full-time NHL potentially as soon as next season, but I'd say probably the 26-27 season.

If things go well with Fowler's development in the AHL, he could be ready to be a backup at least in 26-27 as well. 1 year AHL, 2nd year getting some NHL looks.

Meanwhile that 1st rounder is just finishing his CHL career, or might be ready to leave the NCAA/ come over from Europe and have a season, or two in the AHL

 

[Doublechin]

I don't think anyone should ever be labeled as an untouchable, hell, even Demidov

For the right center, I'd trade him, obviously there are not many realistic scenarios that would work to make that happen.

One asset that hasn't been mentioned in Guhle, I think I'd strongly consider moving him for a 2C, his injury history, for me, makes him the ideal candidate to trade here.

He's got solid value, plays at a position where we don't lack depth at all

I think Guhle and a second rounder is enough to help us land a decent amount of targets we've been mentioning

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

If Desnoyers is there at #11-12, trade Hage and the first, whatever, sprint to the podium to draft Desnoyers, and just enjoy the ride.

There's lots of time yet for GMs' and scouts' minds to change, but right now Desnoyers is tracking to be a top-6/7 pick in this year's draft. And if he falls, it will be another case of Zeev Buium and Sam Dickinson.

At 11-12, we're looking at possibly Eklund, Mrtka, Hensler, Lakovic, those types of prospects. We'd have an outside shot at O'Brien and McQueen depending on what happens at the top of the draft.

Hage >>>>> Desnoyers

 

[Gustave]

I’ll contend that our most valuable assets are the three first round picks;
- ours in 2025
- Calgary’s in 2025
- ours (unprotected) in 2026

They are mid range, thus way more valuable than the crap picks in the 27-32 range.

I’d trade those, even packaged, in a heartbeat for a 2nd line C that fits our objective.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf, Hutson and Demidov is the entire protection list for me. Everything else ( picks, prospects, guys on the NHL and AHL roster) is on the table for the right scenario. I might even be talked into throwing Slaf in as well, for something really big.

 

[DAChampion]

It depends what level of rebuild a team is.

If the team has just started, then the 1sts are always better.

I’ll contend that our most valuable assets are the three first round picks;
- ours in 2025
- Calgary’s in 2025
- ours (unprotected) in 2026

They are mid range, thus way more valuable than the crap picks in the 27-32 range.

I’d trade those, even packaged, in a heartbeat for a 2nd line C that fits our objective.

I think most teams would prefer Michael Hage to any of the 1st round picks. He comes with more certainty because he's a first rounder that had a healthy and productive D+1.

Fowler, Engstrom, Mailloux, Beck, Kappanen, I assume are all worth less than the next three 1sts.

So the ordering is:

(Untradable players: Demidov, Suzuki, etc)
(Steep dropoff in trade value)
Michael Hage
Calgary 1st 2025
2026 unprotected 1st
Montreal 1st 2025
(Steep dropoff in trade value)
Some ordering of Mailloux, Struble, Engstrom, Dobes, Fowler, Mesar, Roy, Beck, Kappanen, etc. here lies the 2025 and 2026 2nd and 3rd round picks.