Post-Game Talk: Trade Deadline Day: March 7, 2025: Montreal stands pat

[Saundies]

I'm sure he's been mentioned before, but is Mittlestadt someone worth going for as a 2C option?

If we hadn't already traded with Sakic twice for reclamation projects and had them both fail I'd say yes.

 

[red devil]

 

[le_sean]

You really get to know posters at trade deadline. What a trainwreck of conflicting desires, panics, and impatience particularly from those who wanted to tank. The standards of success or failure being put forward are silly. Myself, sticking with same position I had in December. Happy we're making progress this year, expect better things next year, playoffs is a bonus if it happens. Don't understand urgency to do anything frankly. We wanted to jump about 7-10 points in the standings from last year and see improvements from our core. That has generally happened.

Because running Suzuki to the ground is not a good long-term strategy.

I think most people are fine if we miss the playoffs. Playing meaningful games in March is great. But you can’t have a rookie the coach doesn’t 100% trust as your 2nd line centre. It’s not fair to him, his linemates and the other lines that have to do much more work.

Plus there needs to be an emphasis on making Laval the team to beat in the AHL. Beck makes them better, he should be playing 18+ minutes a night down there rather than 8 here.

 

[1000eeer]

I think we need to come to terms with the fact that if we want a solid 2C without overpaying, it will need to be a product of the organisation...

You either draft them or overpay...

Cozens = Pass
Zegras = Pass
Ryan O'Reilly = too steep of a price
Brayden Schenn = Pass

The only name that makes sense for us is Jared McCann... But can he still play center?

 

[Be a Hab]

I'm sure he's been mentioned before, but is Mittlestadt someone worth going for as a 2C option?

My gut says no but if KH and Gorton think its a good idea than sure.

 

[Sterling Archer]

I'm sure he's been mentioned before, but is Mittlestadt someone worth going for as a 2C option?

He's on pace for 40+ points on one of the best offensive teams in the NHL, and his defensive game is suspect.

Besides, do you really want to make a deal with Avs????

 

[Essenege]

You really get to know posters at trade deadline. What a trainwreck of conflicting desires, panics, and impatience particularly from those who wanted to tank. The standards of success or failure being put forward are silly. Myself, sticking with same position I had in December. Happy we're making progress this year, expect better things next year, playoffs is a bonus if it happens. Don't understand urgency to do anything frankly. We wanted to jump about 7-10 points in the standings from last year and see improvements from our core. That has generally happened.

There’s no urgency for sure, but if you’re going after a 2C at the draft, might as well go for it now.

 

[Sterling Archer]

Armia is EXACTLY what the Oilers need, so you know they'll never trade for him.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Sportsnet showing how amateur they are with the echoing to start.

 

[Kosseca]

It's not a quality draft. You're drafting guys who in previous years would have gone late 2nd/early 3rd around 20 this year.

A lot of middle 6 forwards, 4-6 D, maybe.

That's why i'm ok to let our two 1st pick go, unprotected for a core 2C.

 

[CAUFIELD]

It’s not our year .
Missing Dach, Ghule, Reinbacher, Demidov.

I would sell Armia, Savard , Dvorak, expect if we have a deal in place before the limit

Next year is when our window opens

 

[LaP]

I'm sure he's been mentioned before, but is Mittlestadt someone worth going for as a 2C option?

No

 

[JianYang]

It’s not our year .
Missing Dach, Ghule, Reinbacher, Demidov.

I would sell Armia, Savard , Dvorak, expect if we have a deal in place before the limit

Next year is when our window opens

You are always going to be missing players. That's where depth comes in and the Habs don't have nearly enough of it at this stage of the game (or at least nhl ready depth).

 

[Ozmodiar]

While I'd like to pillage Nashville seeing as Trotz is incompetent, I don't think O'Reilly is interested in coming here either. He doesn't want to play in big markets.

Probably not, but interesting that they’re listening and presenting him with options.

As opposed to “he wants to stay” blanket statement.

 

[Hannibal]

Sellers market and we wont sell.

 

[Rapala]

Because if they can make the playoffs then players get playoff experience. And 95% of them have never been in the playoffs so they will see how different it is and be ready when thay are a real contender.

...and how many of those 95% are going to be with us when it's actually going to count?
This along with the Culture BS is fanciful at best. If we had the players I'm 100% on board with this.
I get that people are having a hard time understanding that we don't but we don't.

 

[HabsMD97]

Did the Canes try offersheeting Rantanen if they really wanted to sign him

no Dumdum didn't wanna pay up the extra $20 it would have taken

 

[Andrei79]

What are examples of teams in the middle of a playoff hunt who decided to sell off players and came out of it better ?

 

[gusfring]

It’s not our year .
Missing Dach, Ghule, Reinbacher, Demidov.

I would sell Armia, Savard , Dvorak, expect if we have a deal in place before the limit

Next year is when our window opens

Imagine being on a team whose front office thought this way. A slap in the face.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Armia is EXACTLY what the Oilers need, so you know they'll never trade for him.

They have 300k in space.

 

[Kosseca]

It’s not our year .
Missing Dach, Ghule, Reinbacher, Demidov.

I would sell Armia, Savard , Dvorak, expect if we have a deal in place before the limit

Next year is when our window opens

I think that the idea is not to go for the cup this year, but gain experience in meaningful games.

You are right that next year, the roster will have an injection of skill and the team is more likely to make the playoff, but you need to learn to win and this year is good for that for the guys already here.

this year's draft is a "weak" one. We should be ok to trade some picks to get guys that will be here long term.

If we trade ufa.... I hope it is not for this years' draft.

 

[le_sean]

My gut says no but if KH and Gorton think its a good idea than sure.

Yeah because they’ve been so successful with centre reclamation projects. Is the 3rd time a charm?

 

[Andrei79]

...and how many of those 95% are going to be with us when it's actually going to count?
This along with the Culture BS is fanciful at best. If we had the players I'm 100% on board with this.
I get that people are having a hard time understanding that we don't but we don't.

The top 5 scorers on the team are going to be here long term. The rest of the team will be here mostly next year too when they add Demidov and Reinbacher. Of course trying for a run is important.

 

[gusfring]

What are examples of teams in the middle of a playoff hunt who decided to sell off players and came out of it better ?

There are none. Selling Savard and Armia now for 2nd or 3rd round picks would be insulting to players who have fought through a lot to get back in the race. Imagine you're Josh Anderson, playing through multiple injuries every night only to have the front office capitulate.

 

[LaP]

What are examples of teams in the middle of a playoff hunt who decided to sell off players and came out of it better ?

Caps last year

They were 5 points out by the deadline. They sold Mantha, Kuznetsov, Edmundson and made the playoffs. They are much improved this year too. Edmundson is very similar to Savard this year. I'm still mind blown that so many people think Savard is a key piece to this team. He's a cruise boat anchor atm. It's like people don't watch the games.