Our most valuable assets in a potential trade.

[Redux91]

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.

Give me *two* names of players you consider 'something really big' you could realistically acquire by 'throwing in Slaf' that wouldnt actually set us back big picture wise

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Give me *two* names of players you consider 'something really big' you could realistically acquire by 'throwing in Slaf' that wouldnt actually set us back big picture wise

McDavid and Crosby, should they actually be available AND interested in playing in Montreal. The 1% chance in short, not very likely, but if it's there I'm willing to go a bit crazy.

 

[Benstheman]

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.

If Fowler is worth less than mid 1st in an horrible draft, I keep him for sure. His potential is way more important than a late 1st value.

 

[Benstheman]

McDavid and Crosby, should they actually be available AND interested in playing in Montreal. The 1% chance in short, not very likely, but if it's there I'm willing to go a bit crazy.

Not for Crosby

 

[Shutdown]

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.

Engstrom is better than Xhekaj?

 

[Redux91]

McDavid and Crosby, should they actually be available AND interested in playing in Montreal. The 1% chance in short, not very likely, but if it's there I'm willing to go a bit crazy.

Fair enough lol

I just didn't want to hear 'Brady Tkachuk' or something lol

 

[malcb33]

While I understand why the OP made this thread, IMO the concept is a little flawed. The theoretical trading partner will have their own direction and reason for making a trade and value assets differently, for example

Rebuilding team= draft picks
Retooling team= near prospects
Competing team= roster players

Then you have the trading partners positional needs, salary constraints and competitive timeline to consider, so there’s a lot of factors in how a team assess assets for a potential trade.

 

[DAChampion]

His brother can replace the physicality if we lose A. Xhekaj.

No, Florian is in a lower weight class.

The Habs need Arber Xhekaj.

 

[Gustave]

@DAChampion


If you’re including Hage as an available, then Rein is available too.

Then yes those two, then the 3 firsts, then the field.

I’m tempted to believe Hage is more valuable compared to the first round picks, depending on the depth the other team has on C, but Rein being a RD holds the most value. Hoping we could salvage one of the two if we go the trade route.

 

[vokiel]

While I understand why the OP made this thread, IMO the concept is a little flawed. The theoretical trading partner will have their own direction and reason for making a trade and value assets differently, for example

Rebuilding team= draft picks
Retooling team= near prospects
Competing team= roster players

Then you have the trading partners positional needs, salary constraints and competitive timeline to consider, so there’s a lot of factors in how a team assess assets for a potential trade.

Just consider what the Habs would ask for the individual pieces. Doesn't matter which team is trying to acquire which player.

 

[Essenege]

Mailloux, Engstrom & Reinbacher are all future NHLers that could already hold their own. If we want full value in a trade from any or a combination of them, we need to play them in the NHL pretty soon. Savard out next year will clear a spot but ideally I’d clear another.

I love Arber but he’s the odd man out.

We could also maybe consider trading Guhle for that dreaded young 2C. Tough to let him go but if we fill a more pressing need in return, why not?

 

[DAChampion]

Mailloux, Engstrom & Reinbacher are all future NHLers that could already hold their own. If we want full value in a trade from any or a combination of them, we need to play them in the NHL pretty soon. Savard out next year will clear a spot but ideally I’d clear another.

I love Arber but he’s the odd man out.

We could also maybe consider trading Guhle for that dreaded young 2C. Tough to let him go but if we fill a more pressing need in return, why not?

The reason that LHD isn't a need is because the Habs have Guhle and Xhekaj. If you trade them it becomes a need.

Mailloux and Reinbacher are RHD.

 

[Nicko999]

Fowler would be the used as a trade asset before Hage for me.
We have a lot of promising goalies in the system and if a team is willing to overpay, I am parting ways with him.
Goalies however do not have high value so doubt we get what we want.

I am gonna get a lot of hate for that but if we are targeting a decent 2C, Ghule is the most valuable asset to move. I think we will regret trading Hage and the numerous injuries scares me with Ghule. I wouldn't count on him to play 82 games. I would try and flip him while he still has high value.
The recent stretch shows the team can compete without him.

 

[vokiel]

Mailloux, Engstrom & Reinbacher are all future NHLers that could already hold their own. If we want full value in a trade from any or a combination of them, we need to play them in the NHL pretty soon. Savard out next year will clear a spot but ideally I’d clear another.

I love Arber but he’s the odd man out.

We could also maybe consider trading Guhle for that dreaded young 2C. Tough to let him go but if we fill a more pressing need in return, why not?

Mailloux could not hold his own, we already saw that, same for Engstrom. They both have a reasonable amount of training to do in the AHL.

 

[salbutera]

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.

HuGo have reached the evaluation point in their journey and need to be very careful about how they move fwd. <5 years NHL experience can lead to a lot of miscalculation/ erroneous projections specifically w Dman, who traditionally bloom later.

Sometimes the ultra conservative over ripen a prospect at lower levels by erring on the side of caution allowing a team to buy time to further evaluate is helpful…

Then there’s the aspect of an org strength (say LD for Habs) can become a weakness very quickly …

 

[malcb33]

Just consider what the Habs would ask for the individual pieces. Doesn't matter which team is trying to acquire which player.

Value is what the market says it is; in this case, the market is your trade partner.

 

[malcb33]

Fowler would be the used as a trade asset before Hage for me.

In a hypothetical trade for a young 2C, Hage could be expendable, but he's definitely I guy you hang on too if you can IMO

 

[Goldenhands]

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.

For me when it comes to rankings, HP tends to adjust lately sometimes. For exemple, they had Geekie very high most year and then adjusted. They had Carbonneau way too high this year considering how flawed his game is and I think they have a tendency to over rank CHLers vs Euros, but their rankings got better over the years and their write-ups are amazing.

As for Desnoyers, I think he goes top 10, but since the drafts have been all over the place last 2 yrs, everything is possible.

 

[vokiel]

Value is what the market says it is; in this case, the market is your trade partner.

That's only the case if you're forced to trade. Otherwise you can put the sticker price that you want on the player and say: "I'm not trading him unless..."

Just use what is after the unless to get a ranking. For example, Hutson is pretty much untouchable for everyone, safe for McDavid coming back. So he's #1.

 

[malcb33]

I disagree. Yes, you can agree not to trade someone if you value them higher, but the market sets the price because you can't trade with yourself.

It's very simple: to trade, you need a partner (the market). If the market does meet your price, there is no trade, unless there is other factors. Ignoring the market's evaluation makes no sense.

Your example also shows the flaws in your argument. The Vancouver Canucks likely wouldn't value Hutson as highly as others because they already have Quinn Hughes. Therefore the market (the Canucks in this example) sets the price they are willing to pay. Now of course the Habs can decline, but if they want to trade Hutson and the only place he'd be willing to go is Vancouver, the Canucks set the price.

 

[Goldenhands]

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.

I would be surprised if Xhekaj gets traded at any point, he is one of the most physical defensemen in the league and one of the most feared fighters. He brings a good deal of leadership and his D game has improved alot too. He is like the perfect guy for a 3rd pairing role.

If Engstrom keeps improving and Guhle keeps fighting injuries, maybe Guhle is the one out at the end.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

I would put Demidov + on the table if it meant getting Tage Thompson. But Buffalo would never trade him.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Mailloux, Engstrom & Reinbacher are all future NHLers that could already hold their own. If we want full value in a trade from any or a combination of them, we need to play them in the NHL pretty soon. Savard out next year will clear a spot but ideally I’d clear another.

I love Arber but he’s the odd man out.

We could also maybe consider trading Guhle for that dreaded young 2C. Tough to let him go but if we fill a more pressing need in return, why not?

Mailloux may not be NHL calibre if he has no hockey sense.

 

[Schooner Guy]

I would be surprised if Xhekaj gets traded at any point, he is one of the most physical defensemen in the league and one of the most feared fighters. He brings a good deal of leadership and his D game has improved alot too. He is like the perfect guy for a 3rd pairing role.

If Engstrom keeps improving and Guhle keeps fighting injuries, maybe Guhle is the one out at the end.

Even in beer league (where there is always one or more meatheads on every team just because it's hockey), having the toughest guy on the ice and one who can snap at any moment allows others to play their game with more confidence.

Arber's fight last night when down 2-0 added life to the Habs and to the crowd.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I would put Demidov + on the table if it meant getting Tage Thompson. But Buffalo would never trade him.

Demidov >>>>> Thompson. No chance unless they are afraid Russia won't let him leave.