Speculation: Summer 24 moves

[General Fanager]

Bring back Toffoli. We need help on the wings for the top 9.

3 years? 5M$ per?

I doubt he will sign for 3 years....


also yes to Perry. They never should have let him go.....

 

[26Mats]

Bring back Toffoli. We need help on the wings for the top 9.

3 years? 5M$ per?

Not bad.

How about Monahan at that price? He's younger and can play C. Sure you hope he doesn't get hurt. But I don't think 3 years is too much of a risk.

I don't mind going with these wing duos until Hughes lands good young guns:

Caufield - Salf
Newhook - Roy
RHP - Anderson
Gally - Ylonen
Pez

 

[Beendair Donedat]

Couple of things:

We can’t rely on Dach to stay healthy. He’s never proven that he can do that yet, and I’m not sure it will ever start.

We also need to hit a home run with an impact forward or two this draft, preferably a big Center. I’m firmly in the draft Lindstrom camp, because I don’t see us winning the lottery. Celebrini would be very nice though, and one can dream.

I honestly don’t see Hughes targeting anyone as a UFA. Maybe a 4th line tough guy, or a vet to help at center - possibly re-signing Monahan? I just don’t see anyone in the UFA market that fits the Habs rebuilding plan.

 

[Egresch]

With Savard, Armia, Dvorak, Evans, Pez & Kovacevic all entering the final year of their deals before becoming UFAs, we should see most if not all go.

Agree, I assume Kovacevic, Pezz and Armia are gone in the summer. The other 3 might move as well, maybe even Anderson. This would leave space for some good vet winger as I would prefer to have Roy on 3rd line.
I guess we all agree we should not sign any long term deals with UFAs, so I would look for someone like Marchessault, Perron.
I guess we might take Ekblad as cap dump if we move some RHD.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

Hughes loves his former clients, with Matheson, Newhook, White and Richard all spending time here since he became GM. Two former clients I could see him having interest in as UFA would be William Carrier and Sammy Blais for the 4th line and depth.

Another former client I wouldn't be surprised to see him sign would be Beauvillier on a cheap one year deal to try and revive his career given he's still fairly young.

 

[1909]

I dunno if the guy is healthy or not, but Carrier from Vegas would boost our 4th line a lot.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I think KH could try to target the big fish like Sam Reinhart or get valuable veteran on 1 year deal.

Also he should try to get another project like Dach/Newhook type.

 

[John B]

I'd like to see the Habs to find a couple good veterans to bring in on short term deals. Someone that can continue to help mentor the young players on the team until the team is ready to compete. Players that might also have value at the TDL if the Habs find themselves on the outside looking in again. It would be nice to clear some roster spots this offseason, but I doubt that will be possible.

2025 is the free agent year I'd be looking to. Unfortunately we have no ideal who will still be available. Crosby would be an awesome veteran guy who will still be able to contribute. Just an all round great guy on and off the ice. If Pittsburgh is in the crapper and the Habs are on the rise, maybe he considers it.

 

[The Great Weal]

I remember when the idiot said he would never compromise the teams future to save his job. That was the moment I knew he would compromise the teams future to save his job.

To be fair, he did hold onto all his busts and picks besides Sergachev and the 1st he traded for the first time in his tenure for Dvorak. It's hilarious how the two times he did what he needed to do it backfired horribly thanks to his crew's scouting. After that, he said, "f*** it I'll ruin the cap situation for the next GM".

 

[John B]

I think they will go the trade route like they have the last two drafts. And at UFA, they will most likely do what they did the last two years and add mostly players for Laval, even if it's NHL contracts a la Andersson, Maillet, Keeper & re-signing Stephens like this past summer. I also think they'll extend Gignac.

With Savard, Armia, Dvorak, Evans, Pez & Kovacevic all entering the final year of their deals before becoming UFAs, we should see most if not all go. Some might be extended (my guess Evans is the most likely candidate for that). Some might be gone in the summer.

Those are a lot of bad contracts from guys who don't contribute much coming to an end. So I think next summer (2025) they might be more aggressive in the UFA market as the cap goes up some more.

Next year, I feel like they will go status quo with the goal to have the young guys and the team progress some more. And for the 2025-26 season, they will be looking to add rather than subtract.

For the AHL, Barre-Boulet would be an interesting add as a veteran. More than likely looking for a shot at the NHL though. Likely wouldn't get it with the Habs. Let Keeper go, and bring back Ouellett for the AHL too. Habs could use a 4th goalie under contract as well. I'd hate to see Dobes get called up before he's ready if there's an injury in Montreal. I suppose they could just sign Kaskisuo to a one year deal if an injury does happen.

 

[Vachon23]

I would sign a veteran #3 goalie and some toughness on the 4th line and that’s it

 

[vokiel]

Voted other, I'd try signing Wennberg.

 

[GordonGraham]

Its not the time yet summer 25 will be the time to go for a #1G top 2 d and top 6 forward

 

[Ezpz]

I think Marchessault is a lock to come here. Perfect fit in the top six for the medium term. Winning pedigree and experience. Local and will transition into hockey ops.

If that doesn't work I'm fine with bringing back toffoli or Monahan. Perry is a no as not only is he washed, he's a distraction.

Alexandre carrier is my secondary target. Experienced RD just entering his prime at 27. Allows kovacevic to be flipped to a cap strapped team if any of the RD prospects push for a spot. Playing the third most minutes on Nashville's D.

I don't see much else out there that's realistic. We're not even in the race for a guenztel or stamkos.

 

[MXD]

A 4th liner that plays like a 4th liner. I don't have a specific name, but William Carrier named earlier is a decent one.

 

[417]

Its not the time yet summer 25 will be the time to go for a #1G top 2 d and top 6 forward

Assuming those types of players are even healthy.

Still free agency is really watered down now.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I don't see Hughes entering into this market for anything significant as he is much more likely to try and turn his plethora of draft picks and logjam of good young D into a top six forward

 

[habamillions]

I think KH could try to target the big fish like Sam Reinhart or get valuable veteran on 1 year deal.

Also he should try to get another project like Dach/Newhook type.

Rags did this with panarin amd gorton was there for that. Got him a year before their retool. However they got lucky with winning the lottery. So gorton and hughea might do the same thing here. But would be hard to convince free agents to come in

 

[First Line]

Just like the Playoff thread this one is premature

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

We should make a trade for a young high end offensive forward instead of signing a declining forward

 

[Garnet76]

Trading for an RFA might be the way Hughes goes. Necas is one example.

 

[CHwest]

I would bring in Monahan for 2 yrs if he would sign or Perry for 1 yr if he would sign. I believe they are good for the youngsters.

 

[EXPOS123]

Why do people want another smurf on the wrong side of 30?

Please, please stay away from Marchessault

 

[Boris Le Tigre]

Yes to a vet to play a similar role to Monahan.

Stamkos (not bloody likely but still).

 

[BozoTheClown]

Tavares for 2025-2026!