Speculation: RFA candidates for Habs in 2025 summer

[Benstheman]

Some interesting option at center for the Habs.

https://puckpedia.com/players/search?q=2024-25-rfa

For my part, Vilardi, McTavish, Rossi would be interesting options.

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[Scriptor]

Some interesting option at center for the Habs.

https://puckpedia.com/players/search?q=2024-25-rfa

For my part, Vilardi, McTavish, Rossi would be interesting options.

I hope you are talking about trade options because Hughes will not be making hostile offers to RFAs...

And, if we are trading, I like the idea of trying to acquire Lundell from FLA that another poster on these boards brought up.

He's 23 and on pace, this year, for 20 goals, 31 As and 51 points over a full season as the team's 3C, with an average of 16:51 per game.

Saddled behind Barkov and Bennett in FLA, with more ice time, and some choice PP time, he could well be netting closer to Suzuki's point totals as a 23 yer-old (26 Gs, 40As, 66Ps).

SCOUTING REPORT

The Finnish forward plays the kind of two-way game NHL coaches preach. He stepped into the NHL after two seasons playing as a teenager in the Liiga in Finland because of his playmaking skills and game away from the puck. He should continue to grow into his body as he matures, but his all-around game is already good enough to play at the NHL level.

Long Range Potential: Quality, versatile two-way forward with offensive upside.

Lundell already has the makings of a 2nd line C while playing 3rd line C minutes and game situations.

His defensive dependability should allow a coach like St-Louis to trust him with more ice time and enable him to play a regular shift as a playmaking, 2nd line C.

Given the quality wingers on the Habs' roster for the top-6 (Caufield, Laine and Slafkovsky) and soon to join the ranks next season (Demidov), a playmaking C like Lundell should have interesting targets to exploit while playing a 2nd line C role.

What would it take to pry Lundell away from FLA?

I reckon it would take a replacement C built for a 3rd line role in Evans, on a sign and trade deal because of the five remaining seasons to Lundell's current contract that carries a reasonable 5M Cap hit. Add to that a 1st round pick, and another C prospect with two-way skills and offensive upside in Kapanen.

IMO, Montreal can boast a decent C-line in:

Suzuki
Lundell
Dach
Beck

with dach able to play RW if another C bests him as 3rd line pivot, let's say, maybe Hage, one day, or Beck, even, if his offensive upside and strong shutdown skills materialize at the NHL level.

Slafkovsky - Suzuki - Demidov
Caufield - Lundell - Laine
Hage - Dach - Bear
Heineman - Beck - Davidson
F. Xhekaj