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

[CHfan1]

Could it also be to make it more buyout proof?

Yes I believe so, as a buyout is 2/3 of the remaining salary owed on the contract.

 

[Rapala]

I've noticed much has been made of this Suzuki wants to win now reality but blaming HuGo's TDL on him is hilarious what does anyone expect him to say. The conversation Hghes had with Suzuki should have happened long before it did. Like maybe a game or so after Guhle went down and the wheels fell off.
I remain staunch in my belief that a Paul Byron type signing at TDL is probably the worst possible outcome for the balance of this season. Add or subtract were the only true options. Team who do nothing end up with just that...

Nothing.

 

[HuGo Sham]

For sure Hughes will have more options next summer. The tdl is for teams who pays high place for a playoffs run. Just for a last minute playoff spot it's rarely worth the price.

agreed

 

[HuGo Sham]

I don’t believe Dach fits on the roster and should not be counted upon as a long term asset. I’m hoping he gets traded as soon as he’s cleared to play. Let some other team buy into his attributes.

I'm starting to lean this way lol.
Yikes, back to 2 holes in the top 6-
well one with Demidov.
And who knows with the enigma that is Laine

 

[TomKosto]

I don’t believe it’s a good idea for a GM to make commitments that limit his ability to optimize asset management. But once he does make them, I agree that they should be adhered to.

Next time, however, I hope that Hughes learns from this and would prefer that he makes no further promises of that nature. His coaching staff can motivate, rally and inspire players without handcuffing the GM.

Would be lucky to get a 2-3 rounder for Dach, just keep him and pray at that point.

 

[LaP]

I don't understand how anybody could think that it would be ok for Hughes to stab the players in the back.

For the same reason it's was ok for Caps GM to stab his player in the back last year and for the same reason it's ok for Boston's GM to stab his players in the back this year. Just check Boston rally to make the playoffs after selling that would be funny as hell. It's a business.

I still think the replacing Armia for Davidson would not change where we finish at the end of the year. Armia has been sleeping for a while now. He has 7 points in his last 26 games -4 since january 1st (one point being in an empty net). This is a pace of 22 points in 82 games. Only Evans and Anderson have less points than him since january 1st among forward (Heineman and Beck too but they barely played).

 

[Frankenheimer]

It wasn't reasonable, but during his prime as a younger player he was seriously under-paid. Bergevin was making it up to him. Plus, Bergevin absolutely loved Gally. And, the whole cap was going up climate then Covid hit.

It sort of makes sense as a gentleman's agreement. Take less when the team is competitive, then get a reward contract during a rebuild. I realize it wasn't conceived this way. A few of our boys have taken team friendly contracts. A big unknown is what's going to happen to the locker room when big contracts are signed. Hutson is aware of this, so I assume he will take a team friendly deal as well, if he likes it here.

Gallagher played his heart out during his 20s and was for many, me included, the real captain of the team. I'm annoyed by his big contract, but it's become digestible.

 

[BLONG7]

I don’t believe it’s a good idea for a GM to make commitments that limit his ability to optimize asset management. But once he does make them, I agree that they should be adhered to.

Next time, however, I hope that Hughes learns from this and would prefer that he makes no further promises of that nature. His coaching staff can motivate, rally and inspire players without handcuffing the GM.

Agreed........unfortunately Dach just may not be part of our future..............certainly not down the middle.
Unfortunate.....

 

[Frankenheimer]

I don’t believe it’s a good idea for a GM to make commitments that limit his ability to optimize asset management. But once he does make them, I agree that they should be adhered to.

Next time, however, I hope that Hughes learns from this and would prefer that he makes no further promises of that nature. His coaching staff can motivate, rally and inspire players without handcuffing the GM.

The fact is we don't really know the nature of the original discussion. I don't picture Suzuki going to Hughes and making demands. I picture Hughes casually consulting Suzuki and asking how he sees things, and Suzuki candidly saying he would like to keep the team intact, as any normal captain would (I can only imagine Brady Tkachucks reaction in a similar context, probably give the GM a black eye).

It's being built up now cause Suzuki went on a tear, carried the team, and Hughes saw an opportunity to justify standing pat (which he was not far from doing anyway) and building up a Suzuki mythology, particularly to his teammates and future FA's. He was only handcuffed in some imaginary scenario where Suzuki gave him an ultimatum. It's a bit of theatre that suits multiple objectives. Everyone comes out looking pretty good, honorable, and motivated. Nice deal for not giving up Armia for late second.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Anyone feels bad for Elliotte?

Men at work

 

[Runner77]

Agreed........unfortunately Dach just may not be part of our future..............certainly not down the middle.
Unfortunate.....

Dach is not a 200 ft player and doesn’t seem to have the IQ for center.

Assuming the above is an accurate assessment, we already know how most teams will value a big-sized, young player.

I’m curious as to how objectively detached Hughes will be in trading away players he has acquired and/or Quartexx clients. If they don’t work out or don’t fit, I want to see him not give them extra rope on account of a personal connection.

I don’t want to experience again the type of misguided decision-making that led to Bergevin’s bloated contract doled out to Gallagher in his declining years. By the same token, I would be repulsed at the idea of Hughes being overly patient or excessively compensating players because of some personal connection. I trust Hughes to know better.

 

[HabsCode]

If they want to take the next step next season, they really need to capitalize on cap space, extra prospect and extra picks they have. This is were Hughes true evaluation will begin imo, the sellings assets for picks and tanking is the « easiest » part. The projects in Newhook and Dach have failed otherwise there wouldn’t be an as urgent need for offensive player. Summer 2025 needs to be active. I hope team comes out of it significantly improved.

If Hughes fails to pry a 2C and a top4 RD before begin of 2025-2026 season, faces will be long in the locker room and amongst fan I bet. Man pressure’s on him and Gorton from now on.

 

[HabsCode]

Dach is not a 200 ft player and doesn’t seem to have the IQ for center.

Assuming the above is an accurate assessment, we already know how most teams will value a big-sized, young player.

I’m curious as to how objectively detached Hughes will be in trading away players he has acquired and/or Quartexx clients. If they don’t work out or don’t fit, I want to see him not give them extra rope on account of a personal connection.

I don’t want to experience again the type of misguided decision-making that led to Bergevin’s bloated contract doled out to Gallagher in his declining years. By the same token, I would be repulsed at the idea of Hughes being overly patient or excessively compensating players because of some personal connection. I trust Hughes to know better.

Hughes didn’t hesitate to trade Barron.

 

[Habit11]

If they want to take the next step next season, they really need to capitalize on cap space, extra prospect and extra picks they have. This is were Hughes true evaluation will begin imo, the sellings assets for picks and tanking is the « easiest » part. The projects in Newhook and Dach have failed otherwise there wouldn’t be an as urgent need for offensive player. Summer 2025 needs to be active. I hope team comes out of it significantly improved.

If Hughes fails to pry a 2C and a top4 RD before begin of 2025-2026 season, faces will be long in the locker room and amongst fan I bet. Man pressure’s on him and Gorton from now on.

To add to this, which I agree with... Hughes has Suzuki/Caufield in their prime years on cap friendly contracts plus he has 1 year of Hutson still on an ELC and Demidov with 3 years on his ELC. These are advantages Hughes needs to leverage along with the rising cap. You couldn't ask for a better situation.

I wasn't overly upset with the lack of activity at the deadline, but I'll be really upset if the roster in October isn't marginally better than it is now. I believe he is as well aware of all this as we are and he will be active, but he can't afford a swing and a miss at C or D or striking out completely.

 

[sampollock]

Players seem quite happy with the fact Hughes kept the team intact. Really continues to show how great our locker room is, perhaps one of the best in recent decades.

They should play harder then

 

[HuGo Sham]

Dach is not a 200 ft player and doesn’t seem to have the IQ for center.

Assuming the above is an accurate assessment, we already know how most teams will value a big-sized, young player.

I’m curious as to how objectively detached Hughes will be in trading away players he has acquired and/or Quartexx clients. If they don’t work out or don’t fit, I want to see him not give them extra rope on account of a personal connection.

I don’t want to experience again the type of misguided decision-making that led to Bergevin’s bloated contract doled out to Gallagher in his declining years. By the same token, I would be repulsed at the idea of Hughes being overly patient or excessively compensating players because of some personal connection. I trust Hughes to know better.

i can't like things here until my demerits evaporate, but this is a thoughtful post

 

[HuGo Sham]

Hughes didn’t hesitate to trade Barron.

true! let's hope he corrects some of his other errors. I can see him backing up a truck of money to marner or bennett if he can't swing a trade.

 

[Ozmodiar]

If Hughes fails to pry a 2C and a top4 RD before begin of 2025-2026 season, faces will be long in the locker room and amongst fan I bet. Man pressure’s on him and Gorton from now on.

They might not need that RHD just yet.

Matheson Guhle Hutson
Xhekaj, Reinbacher, Carrier, Struble.
Mailloux in the pipe.

I think they’ll have to do something tweaking eventually but it’s not like center where, without a #2, someone is in the wrong chair.

 

[sampollock]

They might not need that RHD just yet.

Matheson Guhle Hutson
Xhekaj, Reinbacher, Carrier, Struble.
Mailloux in the pipe.

I think they’ll have to do something tweaking eventually but it’s not like center where, without a #2, someone is in the wrong chair.

Centre is more of a priority

 

[Runner77]

Hughes didn’t hesitate to trade Barron.

True. Had forgotten about that. Hope it continues.

 

[jellybeans]

Yup...

Gallagher salary this season - 9M
Anderson - 7M
Dvorak - 5.75M

At least the final year for Anderson and Gallagher is quite a bit lower.

Yearly salary doesn't matter its all about the cap hit

 

[Tuggy]

Yearly salary doesn't matter its all about the cap hit

It matters when trying to trade players and teams not wanting to pay more money than cap hit. Not every team has bottomless pockets.

That was the point being made about Dvorak having less value.

 

[le_sean]

I've noticed much has been made of this Suzuki wants to win now reality but blaming HuGo's TDL on him is hilarious what does anyone expect him to say. The conversation Hghes had with Suzuki should have happened long before it did. Like maybe a game or so after Guhle went down and the wheels fell off.
I remain staunch in my belief that a Paul Byron type signing at TDL is probably the worst possible outcome for the balance of this season. Add or subtract were the only true options. Team who do nothing end up with just that...

Nothing.

Kent had to man up and say “I appreciate that Nick and we won’t trade any key players but you guys need a bit of help”

Look at Jankowski getting 2 goals in his first game with the Canes. All he cost was a 5th. There’s never anything wrong with depth, of which the Habs have none.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

True. Had forgotten about that. Hope it continues.

A Hughes acquisition, yes, but not a Quartexx client...

Answer should come in the next 12 months though, as Matheson will be up for a decision.

 

[ReHabs]

Players seem quite happy with the fact Hughes kept the team intact. Really continues to show how great our locker room is, perhaps one of the best in recent decades.

What's the point of over-emphasizing the roster's pleasure and satisfaction when all signs point to turnover and change?
1) it's clearly a below-average roster, possibly a bottom3rd roster in the NHL
2) there will be at least 2, possibly up to 7 or 8 new faces next year. Meaning 10-30% of the roster will be different
3) there are big holes in big-TOI roles, so whoever comes in will be a high-impact player and have a big impact in the new roster

the upside I can think of is the team culture continues to be reinforced. I hope it does.