HF Habs: Out Of Town Thread: 2026 Play-off edition

[GrandBison]

Losing Tuch and Byram makes Buffalo noticeably worse for the short- and medium-term.

Byram was the less physical defenseman of both teams during the series against the Habs. Not worth a 4th overall.

 

[dcyhabs]

I’m not a fan of this at all. I think 32 teams is the right amount. 4 divisions of 8 teams, half make the playoffs and now with an 84 game season each team plays their division opponent 4 times, conference opponent 3 times, and non-conference opponent 2 times. Add in it further lessens the talent per team.

Obviously this is a business decision to put more money in owners pockets but I don’t think it’s best for the league.

Bettman only cares about the money, and he’s very happy to crap on the league. He’s the Harold Ballard of commissioners.

 

[Tyson]

Bettman only cares about the money, and he’s very happy to crap on the league. He’s the Harold Ballard of commissioners.

Bettman gets his marching orders from the owners.

 

[salbutera]

SJS apparently were the finalists w Hawks in bidding for Byram… Grier has publicly stated they will trade 2OA if they can get a player 23-25 age bracket who can slot into top-4D.

Wonder if there’s a deal to be had w Guhle as the key piece for HuGo to get 2OA - and if they’re inclined to do so?

Doesn’t prohibit going after 2C & top-6W in anyway

 

[Flip The Bird]

Tuch is apparently going to market and Buf is rumored looking at flipping 4OA for Hellebyuck

Oh dear, I wish we could get in on 4th overall

 

[yianik]

SJS apparently were the finalists w Hawks in bidding for Byram… Grier has publicly stated they will trade 2OA if they can get a player 23-25 age bracket who can slot into top-4D.

Wonder if there’s a deal to be had w Guhle as the key piece for HuGo to get 2OA - and if they’re inclined to do so?

Doesn’t prohibit going after 2C & top-6W in anyway

Pretty surprised Byram valued at 4th OA.

 

[salbutera]

Pretty surprised Byram valued at 4th OA.

Byram ironically was a 4OA draft pick by Avs

Too many rumors that hockey ops believe this to be a very weak draft cuvée - talent level falls off the cliff after top-2 (McKenna & Stenberg)

 

[angusyoung]

Already a decent amount of activity and the next little while should be interesting as to what will follow. As a Habs fan, sure hope they make a splash and improve the team.

 

[OldCraig71]

Already a decent amount of activity and the next little while should be interesting as to what will follow. As a Habs fan, sure hope they make a splash and improve the team.

They'd better get on it soon, or else there won't be any available players left to trade for.

 

[angusyoung]

They'd better get on it soon, or else there won't be any available players left to trade for.

It kind of sucked that the Habs had so many injuries to players and difficult to know what they really are, makes it that more difficult to know what they truly need.

 

[CrazyBob]

Jordan Kyrou traded to Washington. So no more rumour that Montreal would get him

 

[OldCraig71]

It kind of sucked that the Habs had so many injuries to players and difficult to know what they really are, makes it that more difficult to know what they truly need.

Injuries????

 

[dcyhabs]

The f***ing league needs to apply a tax sharing scheme the same way they apply a revenue sharing scheme anything less is unethical.

Ethics are not their thing. The team owners want lower taxes and more government support. Less money for roads and schools, more money rotting in the Caymans.

They don’t want good hockey or good anything, just money. At least they are lined up behind Bettman. Better and better hockey players, but less and less worth watching.

 

[dcyhabs]

Bettman gets his marching orders from the owners.

They are mostly aligned. Bettman intentionally takes the bad press. He’s also leading the charge, though. The game sucks but they are rich.

 

[salbutera]

 

[ExpatHabs]

It kind of sucked that the Habs had so many injuries to players and difficult to know what they really are, makes it that more difficult to know what they truly need.

Yeah man the Habs were riddled with injuries. Just crushed. Everybody says so. Suzuki was out, Caufield was out, Hutson was out, Dobes was out, Slafkovsky was out, Dobson was out, Guhle was out, Newhook was out, Dach was out...

 

[Justin11]

I don’t really care why he’s in Montreal, just want to know what the heck is he eating.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

I don’t really care why he’s in Montreal, just want to know what the heck is he eating.

Doesn’t look like it is a Nate Mackinnon approved snack

 

[Justin11]

Doesn’t look like it is a Nate Mackinnon approved snack

Was thinking the same.

 

[LaP]

I don’t really care why he’s in Montreal, just want to know what the heck is he eating.

I'm more concerned about the pants personally. Anyway ...

 

[yianik]

Byram ironically was a 4OA draft pick by Avs

Too many rumors that hockey ops believe this to be a very weak draft cuvée - talent level falls off the cliff after top-2 (McKenna & Stenberg)

You know when the lemmings are running hard its probably a good idea to change direction. I know, maybe it means its a bad draft, and it maybe, but probably it will be overdone and there will be some good picks in there. Maybe we should trade our 28thOA if its valued real low, maybe we should move up. Use another asset for a trade.

 

[JianYang]

This market is crazy. How many people with the profile of beniers would be able to recognize him in other markets?

 

[JianYang]

Injuries????

There was one point where 7-8 regulars were out at the same time. Joe veleno didnt play so many games for a consistent stretch for no reason

Things started turning around in 2026 but the 2025 portion of the season really tested the depth. The one saving grace was that suzuki was not hurt because he is the most irreplaceable guy on the squad when you look down their center depth.

 

[salbutera]

8yrs / $10M ($60-$70M in signing bonuses over first 4yrs). Very hard for a US based team to match unless they go $13M+

Has missed 18GP cumulative total over last 4 seasons, speed + size perfect match & need

Time to go for it…

 

[GrandBison]

Pretty surprised Byram valued at 4th OA.

Chicago could have traded down for the 6th and that trade still happen. Bad assets management.