HF Habs: Trade Proposal Thread #86: 2023-2024 Season

[Draft]

You mean 3.0.

On the other hand, why not Romanov/Dach 2.0?

Sure, I’m good with trading a surplus for a need when the time is right. I just think the gamble is too high risk with Guhle right now. If we were trading for a 21yo two way centre producing well and on the cusp of becoming a top line player… worth considering but unlikely to happen. Beniers and who else?

I’d keep Guhle as the cornerstone to build around and capitalize on the potential of the younger prospects. He can do it all, there’s no match up or minutes I wouldn’t feel comfortable playing him in. Hutson will unavoidably have situations he’s not well-suited to and Guhle can make up for that.

Ideally I’d be moving one of the young guys with lesser potential. There are quite a few similarities between Struble and Romanov - if we could move Struble for a guy like Kakko, that might be interesting.

 

[G0bias]

The great thing with Guhle, Hutson, Reinbacher is having all three makes any one of them not untouchable.

You don't use a 5th overall pick on a D if you don't believe he can one day play big minutes on the top pair like Guhle does, while packing more offensive punch.

While Kakko could be an interesting project, he remains just that, a project. The team is at the stage with its assets where it needs and can afford to target a player who's shown signs of becoming a top line player. A Beniers, McTavish, Johnson like up-and-coming forward

 

[themilosh]

If I had the 5th OA pick, this trade would be stupid. There will be enough quality forwards available through 5-8 to pass on giving up the farm for Celebrini.

Why be a weenie to pick Celebrini?

Cayden Lindstrom could help form our ownLegion of Doom on a line of:

Slafkovsky - Lindstrom - Dach

A return of an extra 1st rounder for Monahan could also yield Iginla's son a little later on in the 1st round.

Two first round picks (maybe three, with one coming back for Matheson at next year's trade deadline), two 2nd round picks and two 3rd round picks in 2025, along with Newhook, could also fertile grounds for adding another impact right wing to go with Caufield and Suzuki.

A lineup featuring the following top-9 by 2027-2028 could be inspiring:

Slafkovsky - Lindstrom - Dach
Caufield - Suzuki - Impact RW via trade or UFA
Iginla - Beck - Roy

By then, a back end of:

Guhle - Reinbacher
Hutson - Engstrom
A. Xhekaj - Mailloux

could help make the Habs a serious contender.

I'm not saying I would do that trade, but whoever owns the 1st oa, is not going to swap out for #7oa + Mesar + Hutson. just not going to happen.

 

[themilosh]

With Nylander resigning 11.5x8 in Toronto.

And the emergence of Struble and coming up of Hutson.

Guhle VS Marner.

Who say no?

stay as far away from Marner as possible.. never in a million years would I trade Guhle for Marner and his ego (and his dad)..

 

[HuGo Sham]

personally, I'm not moving Guhle for Mercer or another young forward.
We've gotten killed by this in the past. Guhle will be something special.
i'd be happy to move any one of Barron, Trudeau, Norlinder, Savard, Matheson, Kavacevic - even maybe Struble...
but I'm not touching Guhle, Xhekaj, Mailloux, Reinbacher, Hutson and Engstrom.
Another trade chip could be Konyushkov but he looks legit

 

[le_sean]

With Nylander resigning 11.5x8 in Toronto.

And the emergence of Struble and coming up of Hutson.

Guhle VS Marner.

Who say no?

I would absolutely do this and Toronto would be crazy to accept. It’s also insane that some people would not make this trade. He’s a ~100 point winger who is also a good PKer.

 

[Kimota]

I will get flack for this but i would shop Guhle for a top line forward.

Hutson has too much upside. Reinbacher is a righty and Struble is the perfect stable 3D.

Guhle has top pair potential AINEC , it's not a knock against him but i simply prefer Hutson upside for our 1D role. (it remains to be seen if he reaches it.)

I think trading one of Guhle or Hutson (or Reinbacher) is our best bet at acquiring high-impact offensive player.

I would not be opposed to it. I sort of cooled off on him.

 

[themilosh]

I would absolutely do this and Toronto would be crazy to accept. It’s also insane that some people would not make this trade. He’s a ~100 point winger who is also a good PKer.

a 100 pt winger feeding assists to the best goal scorer of the past 6 years. Soft, diva and a Lindros style dad.

 

[le_sean]

a 100 pt winger feeding assists to the best goal scorer of the past 6 years. Soft, diva and a Lindros style dad.

You don’t think the best goal scorer is benefitting playing with one of the best playmakers?

Call him soft all you want, he would still easily be the Habs best forward since Naslund. Don’t really care about his dad. Hoffman has a crazy wife, that didn’t change anything.

 

[DAChampion]

I predict that Mitch Marner won't age well. He's also extremely highly paid and weak in the playoffs.

 

[HuGort]

I don’t think we’re there yet. We’ve picked up a lot wins and points in overtime, but I can see the games becoming much less meaningful as we approach the trade deadline as I don’t know how substanable that will be as teams start to really tighten up the second half.

The only vets I see him trading is Allen and Armia. I think he will try and Sign Monahan. Having Monahan as third line center next year is a good team. Unless he gets blown away probably keeps Matheson and Savard. For another season.

Should we use one of our RDs (Barron maybe) to trade for Kaaop Kakko and draft a D in this year's draft?

Probably trade left D

 

[salbutera]

Unless there are more injuries like Copley in LA who’s out for the season. Still plenty of teams who desperately need goalie help.

That’s the Habs fan “wish” but as has been proven by past actions of those same group of “plenty teams” they’ve refused to overspend on G position - no indication they will all of a sudden decide to.

Once again supply outpaces demand..one exception John Gibson

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

With Nylander resigning 11.5x8 in Toronto.

And the emergence of Struble and coming up of Hutson.

Guhle VS Marner.

Who say no?

I don’t like Marner. He’s expensive and sucks in the playoffs. I also don’t like his attitude.

The only reason I’d trade for him would be to deal him off somewhere else. And seeing as how he’s got a NMC - even if he would come here - I wouldn’t want him.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I would absolutely do this and Toronto would be crazy to accept. It’s also insane that some people would not make this trade. He’s a ~100 point winger who is also a good PKer.

I get it. He’s racked up more points than any player we’ve had in forever. But he disappears in the playoffs - like really bad. He’s a diva and really soft.

At 11.5 million he’d be your highest paid player… I really don’t want anything to do with him.

I’ve said in the past that if I were the Leafs I’d have trade him away years ago. Not a fan.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

That’s the Habs fan “wish” but as has been proven by past actions of those same group of “plenty teams” they’ve refused to overspend on G position - no indication they will all of a sudden decide to.

Once again supply outpaces demand..one exception John Gibson

Supply does NOT outpace demand. There could be 3-4 decent goalies available and 10 teams that should be looking for one. The question is whether the GM"s pf those teams will have the balls to pay the asking prices.

 

[salbutera]

Supply does NOT outpace demand. There could be 3-4 decent goalies available and 10 teams that should be looking for one. The question is whether the GM"s pf those teams will have the balls to pay the asking prices.

Leafs, NJD, Edm, Canes have repeatedly shown little interest in overpaying for G at deadline. That won’t change this deadline either

 

[Sterling Archer]

That’s the Habs fan “wish” but as has been proven by past actions of those same group of “plenty teams” they’ve refused to overspend on G position - no indication they will all of a sudden decide to.

Once again supply outpaces demand..one exception John Gibson

That’s why it’s a game of chicken now and no goalies have moved. With Toronto offering a 6th and getting hung up on, it’s clear they’ll wait and hope their own goalies recover. Once a goalie moves, I think they’ll be more accommodating and prices will flesh out. I don’t think it’ll be anything exorbitant but 2-4th rounder or prospect to match would be the range depending on what goalies get moved.

If Habs got a 3rd/equivalent for Allen, I’d be very happy with that.

 

[Goldenhands]

At some point we will have to move defensemen, Hutson, Engstrom and Reinbacher will push for a regular spot in the near future, trading Savard would be heart broken since he is a real warrior and a home kid, but we need to start moving contracts.

 

[Miller Time]

I predict that Mitch Marner won't age well. He's also extremely highly paid and weak in the playoffs.

It'll be an interesting one to watch...

I think it's a bit of a stretch to say he's been weak in the playoffs. Not as dominant or effective as his regular season level, absolutely, but we're talking a 26 yr old that's at just under a ppg through 50 PO games while averaging almost 22min/game. If that's a weak showing

His defensive game is at times quite strong & his hockey sense is off the charts. If he gets tired of the post season disappointment, he certainly has the skill and the time to shift his approach.

Not sure I'd want to bet on it, especially at his contract & cost to acquire. But I also won't be surprised to see him continue to be a top 5-10 winger in the league for another 5-10 years... He's got the ability, does he have what it takes emotionally is what remains to be seen

 

[MarkovsKnee]

At some point we will have to move defensemen, Hutson, Engstrom and Reinbacher will push for a regular spot in the near future, trading Savard would be heart broken since he is a real warrior and a home kid, but we need to start moving contracts.

I think we have another year. Savard, Kovacevic, Lindstrom, should all be gone by the end of next season. Matheson will have one year left.

The big issue is there are too many young D pushing all at the same time.

Hutson-Reinbacher
Guhle-Barron
Struble-Harris
Xhekaj-Mailloux
Engstrom

We're going to have to make decisions on trading a couple of our young D. I expect us to take more D this draft too.

 

[Goldenhands]

I think we have another year. Savard, Kovacevic, Lindstrom, should all be gone by the end of next season. Matheson will have one year left.

The big issue is there are too many young D pushing all at the same time.

Hutson-Reinbacher
Guhle-Barron
Struble-Harris
Xhekaj-Mailloux
Engstrom

We're going to have to make decisions on trading a couple of our young D. I expect us to take more D this draft too.

I think Engstrom can play on the right side, but yeah, we will have to move some young defensemen as well, my guess is Harris and Barron.

 

[Nevins]

With Nylander resigning 11.5x8 in Toronto.

And the emergence of Struble and coming up of Hutson.

Guhle VS Marner.

Who say no?

Toronto

 

[Nevins]

Guhle handled those minutes fine last year while Matheson was injured, BTW, but, anyhow, Matheson's value might be at it's highest at next year,s trade deadline,especially if Hughes holds back salary.

A productive, veteran, PMD who can play on a 2nd pair and not be overwhelmed, at only 2.4375M, for a playoff run and another season would be extremely valuable. More valuable than as a pure rental 2026, IMO.

By the trade deadline next season, Guhle will have over 2 seasons of NHL experience and he's already a steadying influence, most nights, on D. Playing alongside Reinbacher, instead of who-knows-what-will-happen Barron should not be a concern for the head coach.

Savard should really be playing on a 3rd pairing already as he's also clearly overwhelmed by his current first pairing assignation alongside Matheson, even if his role is just to hang back as Matheson takes off with the puck.

Both Xhekaj and Mailloux could benefit from starting next season in Laval as a pairing there.

I'm not saying that Struble is better than either, or that he has a better ceiling, but he's a safer, more reliable defensive option and can be used to help build Barron's trade value until next year's trade deadline when he and Savard can both be placed on the trading block.

Hutson can also start the year in Laval, after eliminating any chances of returning in the NCAA once he joins Montreal at the end of this season to burn a year off of his ELC.

Engstrom should also turn pro next year and would likely be the pairing partner for Hutson in Laval.

Once Matheson and Savard are moved, the pairing of Xhekaj - Mailloux can be brought up from Laval to round out the season as a pairing in the NHL. Hutson can also join the NHL roster alongside Struble who will play the stay-at-home role to protect Hutson.

Struble plays a physical brand of hockey and can fight anyone who tries to manhandle the man child, Hutson. Struble can also play RD (as a lefty) -- he has in the past. He also has the skating and IQ to keep up with any offense generated by Hutson, but, especially, to help recover from any turnovers that Hutson might have given up.

Starting D-Corps for 2024-2025:

Matheson - Reinbacher
Guhle - Savard
Struble - Barron
Harris

Post deadline D-Corps once Hughes has traded Matheson for a haul, Barron for a project/prospect and Savard for a 2nd rounder:

Guhle - Reinbacher
Hutson- Struble
Xhekaj - Mailloux
Harris

As with Mailloux, Engstrom would benefit from another year in Laval, in this case, for more experience on North American ice, but could be called mid-season to better complement Hutson if the experience with Struble doesn't pan out.

Possible 7-man D-Corps in 2025-2026:

Guhle - Reinbacher
Hutson- Engstrom
Xhekaj - Mailloux
Struble

Yes, the D would be young, but Reinbacher's ability to close the gap and Guhle's acquired NHL experience should enable them to hold their own, defensively, in the NHL. Reinbacher, initially playing more of a shutdown role as he gets used to the NHL, should enable Guhle to continue developng his offensive game there.

Hutson would be protected by Struble after two thirds of a year in Laval and Xhekaj - Mailloux, once the trade deadline has passed, would benefit from the chemistry developed playing together in Laval.

Interesting reflection but this defensive, in 2 years would be much too inexperienced in my opinion. Evolving our prospects too quickly can harm them (example Mete...). This defense will still need at least 1 or 2 veterans.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It'll be an interesting one to watch...

I think it's a bit of a stretch to say he's been weak in the playoffs. Not as dominant or effective as his regular season level, absolutely, but we're talking a 26 yr old that's at just under a ppg through 50 PO games while averaging almost 22min/game. If that's a weak showing

His defensive game is at times quite strong & his hockey sense is off the charts. If he gets tired of the post season disappointment, he certainly has the skill and the time to shift his approach.

Not sure I'd want to bet on it, especially at his contract & cost to acquire. But I also won't be surprised to see him continue to be a top 5-10 winger in the league for another 5-10 years... He's got the ability, does he have what it takes emotionally is what remains to be seen

He just never shows up in bigger games. Early in the series he gets points and then as things get further on he goes away. I’ve watched a lot of him. I honestly think the Leafs should’ve traded him long ago for some defensive help.

He’s still young and Uber talented. His career isn’t written yet and he can always turn it around. If he wins a cup with a good run everyone will forget that other stuff.

But I hate what I’ve seen from him. I wouldn’t want to be depending on him for us to win anything. I’m not a fan.

 

[Tyson]

Are Jake Allen's struggles going to make him difficult to move? I see a goalie that isn't going to interest too many teams.