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

[Naslund]

Sometimes, there are no great options in front of you, and you have to accept that. Forcing things can lead to grave mistakes. I think the Habs stay pat today, and wait until the summer to reshape the lineup.

We are integrating Demidov and Reinbacher to the team next year, two teenagers. As good as these guys will be, we are still about five years away from competing for the cup.

 

[Ozmodiar]

I can't think of one either. It seems like a suggestion that's completely out of touch with reality yet I've been reading it many times in this thread. Is this a board about EA NHL 2025 or an actual real life sports team ?

“Asset management” lol

 

[Kosseca]

Last few games - they’ve gained ground in the playoff race.

And most people would agree that there is lots of luck involved and that, not only they didn't dominate weaker teams, they struggle.

the team is riding a fantastic run of the 1st line. Can't sustain that long term.

 

[HabsMD97]

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

St Louis, also the year NSH sold off Ekholm I believe they went on a run after.

 

[Habs13]

If we aren't going to sell the UFA's then they should add something... We are 1 point out of wild card 2, 2 points out of wild card one but fighting with 6 teams. So shit or get off the pot. PICK!

 

[EveryDay]

A 1st plus a top prospect is too much for Ristolainen.... his stats look better this year tho.

What's the max we should offer for this RD? Any interest from MTL ?

 

[vokiel]

If we aren't going to sell the UFA's then they should add something... We are 1 point out of wild card 2, 2 points out of wild card one but fighting with 6 teams. So shit or get off the pot. PICK!

They may add Condotta.

 

[Toene]

Wer already tried for a run. Anything that happens today wont change that. I'm honestly very surprised by the amount of people who think trading Armia and Savard and replacing them by Reinbacher and Davidson would make this team significantly worse. I bet you it would not change much. But we'll never know because we'll do what we did best for the last 30 years which is stay in no man's land and lose players for nothing.

Boys are playing well, no reason to deflate them just to get a 2nd round pick for Armia and a 3rd for Savard. Let them play meaningful games, it's a hundred times more important for the rebuild than "maximizing" your assets.

We have tons of picks and prospects and we dont even have enough room to give all of them a significant trial. Intriguing prospects like Farrell, Mesar, etc. will have a tough time having an audition on the big club.

The players, with their recent performances, have deserved some benefit of the doubt. Playoffs are attainable, and they are hungry. You want Suzuki and Caufield to go through another tank year? They're sick and tired of losing. We have 7 picks in the first three rounds in 2025.

Adding one or two picks or b-prospects

vs

making your key players happy.

Easy choice for me at this stage.

 

[c3z4r]

is it just me or have there been no trades at all today?

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Our baby boy Cozens comes home today.

 

[Natey]

If we aren't going to sell the UFA's then they should add something... We are 1 point out of wild card 2, 2 points out of wild card one but fighting with 6 teams. So shit or get off the pot. PICK!

What are you going to add?

 

[Victoire HuGo]

The stretch (20 games):

- In Calgary vs Flames
- In Vancouver vs Canucks
- In Seattle vs Kraken
- vs Panthers
- vs Senators
- In New York vs Islanders
- vs Avalanche
- In St. Louis vs Blues
- In Philly vs Flyers
- In Carolina vs Hurricanes
- In Florida vs Panthers
- vs Panthers
- vs Bruins
- vs Flyers
- In Nashville vs Preds
- vs Red Wings
- In Ottawa vs Senators
- In Toronto vs Laughs
- vs Black Hawks
- vs Hurricanes

11 road games, 9 home games, Panthers x3, Hurrica NSH, BOS STL VAN Isles all got weaker. PhI TBDnes x2, Sens x2, Flyers x2.

SEA, NSH, BOS STL VAN Isles all got weaker. PHI TBD

 

[Natey]

is it just me or have there been no trades at all today?

There's usually not until 11 or so

 

[SisuHabsSisu]

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?

Everything is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Basic economics. I don’t get this obsession with “overpaying” here. When another team like Vegas trades for a star, we are all whining that we never get them. We don’t fixate on the two 1sts or whatever they gave up. Can you recall what Vegas gave up for Eichel? (no cheating. Say it now). If we need something and we get it, it’s not an overpayment. If Tampa wins the cup this year, will people still be talking about the firsts they gave up?

We NEED a 2C. IMPERATIVE. If we have to give a first and a second and a decent prospect, do it. (I’m not talking about Demi, Fowler…. On the fence re Hage).

Not only will making the POs be a huge psychological plus for this team but the grind on Suzuki (and Evans to a degree) can have long-term negative ramifications.

PS (again) to the DVo traders: who plays in his place? The sellers/not buyers here would be content with Suzuki, two 4th line centers and ? Does Struble play C?

 

[Wats]

The stretch (20 games):

- In Calgary vs Flames
- In Vancouver vs Canucks
- In Seattle vs Kraken
- vs Panthers
- vs Senators
- In New York vs Islanders
- vs Avalanche
- In St. Louis vs Blues
- In Philly vs Flyers
- In Carolina vs Hurricanes
- In Florida vs Panthers
- vs Panthers
- vs Bruins
- vs Flyers
- In Nashville vs Preds
- vs Red Wings
- In Ottawa vs Senators
- In Toronto vs Laughs
- vs Black Hawks
- vs Hurricanes

11 road games, 9 home games, Panthers x3, Hurricanes x2, Sens x2, Flyers x2.

Sens games are basically playoff games. Great tests.

 

[Habs13]

What are you going to add?

What's available?? Any centers on expiring contracts? Kick tires on Evgeni Malkin since Pittsburgh is done.

 

[Andrei79]

St Louis, also the year NSH sold off Ekholm I believe they went on a run after.

Nashville missed the playoffs that year. I can't recall what year in regards to St Louis.

 

[HabsMD97]

Nashville missed the playoffs that year. I can't recall what year in regards to St Louis.

I thought you meant teams that improved by selling, not necessarily made the playoffs. St Louis sold Statsny while being in a playoff spot and used the 1st to go and get O'Reilly in the offseason, they won the cup the following year, they also sold Shattenkirk while being a point away from the playoffs the year before i believe.

 

[Bouboumaster]

This is fantastic lol

 

[Sterling Archer]

 

[Andrei79]

“Asset management” lol

Yeah, exactly. I'm trying to see the value of acquiring maybe a 2nd, 3rds and 4ths. I guess it would be that it would tank the rest of the season, getting a better draft pick. But, just like last year, the east is weak at the bottom and the WC spots are up for grabs. The team doesn't have a viable second line but if you watch the competing teams they all have systemic issues.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

Nashville missed the playoffs that year. I can't recall what year in regards to St Louis.

STL has done it a few times with Stastny and Shattenkirk

 

[Bouboumaster]

Let's stop f***ing around and go out big game hunting

I want Barzal, EP40 or at least Zegras to play behind Suzuki before the end of the day

Make it happen, Hughes!!

 

[Kosseca]

Let's stop f***ing around and go out big game hunting

I want Barzal, EP40 or at least Zegras to play behind Suzuki before the end of the day

Make it happen, Hughes!!

What is Barzal injury status?

 

[SwiftyHab]

one man
One desire


Bo Horvat