Rumor: Rumors and Proposals Thread | Kailer Yamamoto, Will He Stay or Will He Go?

[Delicious Pancakes]

The habs lost a 3c and replaced him with another 3c who will have to be their 2c.

I don't know if I would be praising Montreal.

Dvorak's production is borderline 2nd liner. Him playing 2nd line center is fine for the Habs, especially given he can play defense, he'll be a good fit for their system.

The Coyotes are definitely tanking for Wright and Bedard. It's going to be a fire sale this year at the deadline with all those UFAs.

 

[Broberg Speed]

Montreal was going to be messed up because of Bergevin, that was a given, but he gets full marks from me on this one. The team moves ahead full speed with Suzuki and Dvorak. I like Dvorak and they get him at a reasonable cap hit until he is 29. They have mega draft picks again this year, they even picked up a second rounder because the Dvorak 2nd isn't until 2024. That makes 11 picks next draft class while still maintaining a first rounder and 7 picks in the first 4 rounds.

 

[Gordievsky]

If what Carolina did makes offer sheets more normal I do think we should be worried when it comes to our key RFAs. Our team will be up against the cap for a long time, and will be depending on the ability to chisel RFAs down

Bingo - I've been wondering about this too. I didn't like Carolina's swagger on this because offer sheets are part of the game. What Montreal did was totally fine. Inept maybe, but fine.

So despite the bitterness involved in this, maybe this is a step towards normalizing them?

 

[McDNicks17]

For four seasons where the team will be twisting in the wind.

You still need good players if you're rebuilding though or you end up like the Sabres or DoD era Oilers.

Dvorak can play some heavy minutes, take the pressure off the young kids and be traded for probably close to what it cost to get him in a few years.

 

[Gordievsky]

MTL will regret giving up Jesperi. Mark my words

I don't disagree it could go terribly wrong for them. But even if you knew in advance that he would explode this year, and more than earn his newly-inflated salary, and then become a star... Montreal still had a problem one way or another. Because he clearly didn't want to be there, and was willing to involve himself in a ****-you gambit to insult the Habs with the $20 signing bonus offer sheet. I mean this wasn't all Carolina - KK had to sign it.

So again, even if the Habs knew for sure he was blossom this year, the best-case scenario was hanging on to a malcontent who could damage the room.

 

[Smartguy]

Montreal has sh**t the bad smelling like stink. They reached for Kotkaniemi at #3 instead of B.Tkachuk and now all they have for him is Christian Dvorak

This is a lesson to teams who draft for current needs. They drafted a center just because they needed a center at the time. Time and time again BPA has shown to be the best move

 

[Mr Positive]

This is a lesson to teams who draft for current needs. They drafted a center just because they needed a center at the time. Time and time again BPA has shown to be the best move

Imo it's more to do with the imperfection of drafting. There's a translation error in draft scouting and end product. There are high profile busts on picks based on need, but also on BPA

BTW I do think there is an interesting argument when it comes to drafting on need vs BPA. They are not so mutually exclusive of course, but I weigh heavily on the side of need, not BPA

 

[Senor Catface]

I've always wanted to go back and look at old draft reports to see how "safe picks" translate to the NHL.

Ryan O'Marra was considered one, back in the day.

 

[belair]

You still need good players if you're rebuilding though or you end up like the Sabres or DoD era Oilers.

Dvorak can play some heavy minutes, take the pressure off the young kids and be traded for probably close to what it cost to get him in a few years.

What are they building around? Kotkaniemi was their most prominent future asset and they essentially traded him for an established player with a much lower ceiling. They're a team that's spinning its wheels and Weber's not even healthy, so they can't really say they've got a window to work with.

Over the next four seasons they're paying a bunch of average wingers into their thirties to ultimately be a bubble team. Acquiring Dvorak didn't accomplish anything. If anything, it made Danault signing elsewhere even more of a middle finger to the fanbase.

Honestly I've never liked the path that team's been on. They may have lucked out on a couple trades, a couple signings and clumsily lucked its way to a Cup final to get massacred, but Bergevin has that team on a pointless trajectory for the next half decade.

 

[Mr Positive]

What are they building around? Kotkaniemi was their most prominent asset. They're a team that's spinning it's wheels and Weber's not even healthy, so they can't really say they've got a window to work with.

They're paying a bunch of average wingers into their thirties to ultimately be a bubble team. Acquiring Dvorak didn't accomplish anything. If anything, it made Danault signing elsewhere even more of a middle finger to the fanbase.

Dvorak was more of a Danault replacement than a KK replacement, but that's just it. KK was not much to the Habs, other than hope and potential. They lost something, sure, but if their goal was to keep their playoff squad's momentum going into the season, they did that. KK filling in for Danault was a big risk.

I'd also say that Savard for Weber knd of feels like how we swapped Larsson with Ceci. It's not a big loss. It's not like 2020 Weber was that much like 2010 Weber. It must be said as well, that a full season of Caufield is significant. Maybe there's a sophomore slump there. I'm guessing not.

 

[McDNicks17]

What are they building around? Kotkaniemi was their most prominent future asset and they essentially traded him for an established player with a much lower ceiling. They're a team that's spinning its wheels and Weber's not even healthy, so they can't really say they've got a window to work with.

Over the next four seasons they're paying a bunch of average wingers into their thirties to ultimately be a bubble team. Acquiring Dvorak didn't accomplish anything. If anything, it made Danault signing elsewhere even more of a middle finger to the fanbase.

Honestly I've never liked the path that team's been on. They may have lucked out on a couple trades, a couple signings and clumsily lucked its way to a Cup final to get massacred, but Bergevin has that team on a pointless trajectory for the next half decade.

Sounds like you're more of a fan of Kotkaniemi than I am. I don't think he's someone with a high ceiling or someone you build around.

Suzuki is that guy on their team, IMO. Dvorak helps you develop him properly. Going into next season with Suzuki as basically the only NHL center on the roster would have been a death sentence for his development.

 

[belair]

Dvorak was more of a Danault replacement than a KK replacement, but that's just it. KK was not much to the Habs, other than hope and potential. They lost something, sure, but if their goal was to keep their playoff squad's momentum going into the season, they did that. KK filling in for Danault was a big risk.

I'd also say that Savard for Weber knd of feels like how we swapped Larsson with Ceci. It's not a big loss. It's not like 2020 Weber was that much like 2010 Weber. It must be said as well, that a full season of Caufield is significant. Maybe there's a sophomore slump there. I'm guessing not.

This is exactly my point. They're pissing away any kind of future to replace impactful players on a team that finished under 0.500 in a weak North Division.

They're going to a tougher division next season. Regardless of what that team did, they weren't going to be good.

 

[Mr Positive]

This is exactly my point. They're pissing away any kind of future to replace impactful players on a team that finished under 0.500 in a weak North Division.

They're going to a tougher division next season. Regardless of what that team did, they weren't going to be good.

the division was a bit weak but if you were a good team in that division, you'd be a good team in a full NHL. Adding Caufield is definitely interesting for them.

I will say though, if they miss the playoffs, it is a bit of a disaster, and it seems there is a good chance of that.

I compare them to a team like the Islanders, who are clininging to competitiveness with veterans, with some key youth sprinkled in. You can win that way, with the right mix.

Idk, I find the Habs kind of interesting, especially now that we don't have to deal with them anymore, or argue with their fans lol

 

[McShogun99]

This is a lesson to teams who draft for current needs. They drafted a center just because they needed a center at the time. Time and time again BPA has shown to be the best move

Draft for need from rounds 4 to 7. Rounds 1-3 should always be BPA.

 

[Broberg Speed]

What are they building around? Kotkaniemi was their most prominent future asset and they essentially traded him for an established player with a much lower ceiling. They're a team that's spinning its wheels and Weber's not even healthy, so they can't really say they've got a window to work with.

Over the next four seasons they're paying a bunch of average wingers into their thirties to ultimately be a bubble team. Acquiring Dvorak didn't accomplish anything. If anything, it made Danault signing elsewhere even more of a middle finger to the fanbase.

Honestly I've never liked the path that team's been on. They may have lucked out on a couple trades, a couple signings and clumsily lucked its way to a Cup final to get massacred, but Bergevin has that team on a pointless trajectory for the next half decade.

Weber going on LTIR was incredible luck, wink wink. Habs are screwed with that 7.9 million on the books, not just this year but for FIVE MORE YEARS. The talk is he won't be coming back, ever. Swept under the rug, presto. Not re-signing 28 year old offensively challenged Denault for 33 million over the next six years... bullet dodged. I'd rather have a 25 year old Dvorak signed for 4 years at 4.45 million than a 28 year old Nuge at 5.125 million for 8 years. As of now Montreal has 11 picks next draft class while still maintaining a first rounder and 7 picks in the first 4 rounds. They can make problems disappear with those picks with a phone call if they wish to do so. They just went to the Stanley Cup finals. They stomped on the team that stomped on us... shall I proceed?

 

[Soundwave]

Bergevin is the best GM in Canada. Which isn't saying a lot and a low bar to clear but is what it is.

Dunno about this move but I guess we'll see how it goes.

 

[Oilslick941611]

The real burning question I want an answer to, is what will Kotkienemi do with that crisp, $20 bill.

hes gonna Eat Fresh

 

[Tobias Kahun]

What are they building around? Kotkaniemi was their most prominent future asset and they essentially traded him for an established player with a much lower ceiling. They're a team that's spinning its wheels and Weber's not even healthy, so they can't really say they've got a window to work with.

Over the next four seasons they're paying a bunch of average wingers into their thirties to ultimately be a bubble team. Acquiring Dvorak didn't accomplish anything. If anything, it made Danault signing elsewhere even more of a middle finger to the fanbase.

Honestly I've never liked the path that team's been on. They may have lucked out on a couple trades, a couple signings and clumsily lucked its way to a Cup final to get massacred, but Bergevin has that team on a pointless trajectory for the next half decade.

Suzuki and Caufield were both notably more prominent.

 

[GOilers88]

Dvorak's production is borderline 2nd liner. Him playing 2nd line center is fine for the Habs, especially given he can play defense, he'll be a good fit for their system.

The Coyotes are definitely tanking for Wright and Bedard. It's going to be a fire sale this year at the deadline with all those UFAs.

Going to be hilarious if they don't win either lottery.

 

[Mr Positive]

Weber going on LTIR was incredible luck, wink wink. Habs are screwed with that 7.9 million on the books, not just this year but for FIVE MORE YEARS. The talk is he won't be coming back, ever. Swept under the rug, presto. Not re-signing 28 year old offensively challenged Denault for 33 million over the next six years... bullet dodged. I'd rather have a 25 year old Dvorak signed for 4 years at 4.45 million than a 28 year old Nuge at 5.125 million for 8 years. As of now Montreal has 11 picks next draft class while still maintaining a first rounder and 7 picks in the first 4 rounds. They can make problems disappear with those picks with a phone call if they wish to do so. They just went to the Stanley Cup finals. They stomped on the team that stomped on us... shall I proceed?

I'm actually a little pissed off. You get Hossa allergic to his equipment at just the right time, and Weber playing just fine but then LTIRetiring with no injury really, and yet our team has to always buy out our bad contracts. There might be some way I'm not being fair here but it's NEVER that we do something "creative"

 

[Canovin]

Stupid trade by Montreal. Pick could end up 11th overall and that’s too high a price for Dvorak. Should have traded the Carolina picks and add a sweetener to it instead. But Montreal still have their 2nd round pick so I’m not going to judge them just yet cause they could offersheet Yamamoto and we could end up as the laughing joke of the whole fiasco

 

[McDoused]

the division was a bit weak but if you were a good team in that division, you'd be a good team in a full NHL. Adding Caufield is definitely interesting for them.

I will say though, if they miss the playoffs, it is a bit of a disaster, and it seems there is a good chance of that.

I compare them to a team like the Islanders, who are clininging to competitiveness with veterans, with some key youth sprinkled in. You can win that way, with the right mix.

Idk, I find the Habs kind of interesting, especially now that we don't have to deal with them anymore, or argue with their fans lol

When I look at how bad the Canadiens roster was during the regular season last year and compare it to now, it's hard to make the argument that they got any better.

Out: Danault, Tatar, KK and Perry.

In: Hoffman, Dvorak

Injured: Weber

Dvorak isnt going to replace Danault and KK.

Hoffman isnt going to replace Tatar and Perry.

 

[Niten Ichi Ryu]

Whoa, Yamamoto is being underrated by alot of us during this RFA process. Either fans don't really care, or don't mind if he's traded. Surprising considering he's been a staple on the top 6 the last 2 seasons, and was the catalyst (as a sophomore who had less than 30 NHL games) to the line that produced a Hart/Art Ross/Lindsay champion. How many 5 foot 7, 150 pounders have actually stuck in the modern NHL? He's unique, and that mentality to play like he's twice that size is an asset this team will need.
We haven't even seen Foegele play a single game in an Oiler uniform yet and we're ready to call him Yamamoto's replacement? Why can't we have both? They're 2 different players with different attributes and strengths. We need all the skilled players we can get, as the main discrepancy with this team is secondary scoring.

I agree that he needs a breakout season before that juicy AAV/term contract, so maybe a bridge deal, one year, 2-2.5 mil. We'll see a hungry and motivated Yamamoto, which will be a spectacle.

On a side note, Cooper Marody is our other RFA pending a contract, surprised not a whisper about him. He and Benson tied the AHL scoring for 3rd, and led the team to a division championship (without McLeod). And he's only 24. Nobody has him in the top 10 Oiler prospects list. He'll probably get put on waivers right before the regular season starts, claimed by a GM that recognizes his strengths, and of course we'll regret it, again. It is what it is, just as long as we don't do that to Yamamoto.
Plus, personally I want to keep the team at least somewhat diverse. We lost alot of players of "color" this off-season (Khaira, Jones, Bear). Only Nurse and Yamamoto remain. I know it shouldn't be a deciding factor at all, but it's just my personal preference

 

[Mr Positive]

When I look at how bad the Canadiens roster was during the regular season last year and compare it to now, it's hard to make the argument that they got any better.

Out: Danault, Tatar, KK and Perry.

In: Hoffman, Dvorak

Injured: Weber

Dvorak isnt going to replace Danault and KK.

Hoffman isnt going to replace Tatar and Perry.

Perry was a depth player though. Tatar was literally absent during their success. Not even injured, just missing.

That is a weird thing about that team. Where the heck were Tatar and Drouin?

 

[McDoused]

Perry was a depth player though. Tatar was literally absent during their success. Not even injured, just missing.

That is a weird thing about that team. Where the heck were Tatar and Drouin?

People like to crap on Tatar because of his lack of success in the playoffs but he was huge for the canadiens during the regular season the past few years. Even though this was his worst year he was still the 3rd highest producing forward on the team.

Perry was also huge for the canadiens and was a leader. Third on the team in the playoffs and 9 goals 21 points in as a depth guy in the regular season.

Both are underrated losers that no one seems to care about.