HF Habs: Trade Proposal Thread #87: 2024 Season Finale

[Kosseca]

It will depend on Kapanen.

The uncertainty of what Kapenan can do and... the absence of other option make MTL C depth... piss poor

I'm also hoping Kapanen can develop into a NHL player, but it's clear that the system is too thin at C

 

[26Mats]

I really really like Xhekaj

That being said, I would do Xhekaj+26+ for #10 on draft night depending on who’s available in that moment.

I’d do it for one the following players if they’re still available at 10:

- Catton
- Dickinson
- Buium

Xhekaj for 10th overall straight up is a hard one for me. But If I really like a player available at 10, and do decide that Xhekaj is worth giving up for the player, then I'd probably be willing to add 26th overall.

But I know full well that Xhekaj could be the wrong player to give up. I say could because we don't know what he'll become. Most young players are more than what they are when they're just getting their feet wet. As of now, Xhekaj is a bottom pair dman who brings elite physicality and fisticuffs. But what will he be in his prime? Scherbak defensively?

And who offensively? I'm not an expert enough o know what Xhekaj projects to be in his prime, or what the players available at 10 project to be.

But for sure I could see the Decils offering 10th overall for Xhekaj. They have a skilled dcore right now that is a little soft. Xhekaj would be perfect for them - exactly what they'd want to draft at 10th overall, plus his age fits their window better than a 17 year old.

 

[OldCraig71]

Owen Beck, after a stellar end to his junior career is a sell high candidate. I like the player. A swiss-army knife kind of guy. But.....stuck as 3rd line centre at most for a long time in Montreal. Great trade bait for Necas.

Winnipeg 1st + Beck + Harris for Martin Necas.

Carolina fans don't believe he is worth what he will be asking for in a long term deal.

 

[waitin425]

The uncertainty of what Kapenan can do and... the absence of other option make MTL C depth... piss poor

I'm also hoping Kapanen can develop into a NHL player, but it's clear that the system is too thin at C

The two hardest spots to fill are C1 and C2. We have those in Suzuki and Dach.....for many years to come. C3 and C4 are easier to fill through FA or trade, or development. You can never have too much depth, but that wouldn't stop me from shopping the prospects we do have, if it makes the top 6 better.

Carolina fans don't believe he is worth what he will be asking for in a long term deal.

That's fine, they are in a different mindset than we should be. A 25 year old top 6 RW, who plays with heart, and has been somewhat stymied by a restrictive system, is exactly who we should be aiming for,

I would aim for a long term 7/8 year contract in the Suzuki realm. Let's say 7.5 million.

 

[ReHabs]

Carolina fans don't believe he is worth what he will be asking for in a long term deal.

Habs fans didn't think Lehkonen had that much more in him either. Sometimes the player doesn't fit in the structure.

Agreed, but you're taking a longer contract to either hold the team down for 7 years, or 14. Carrying a cap hit, even that small for 14 years is a bit excessive.

Kotkaniemi has 6 years left including the upcoming season, or 12 years with the absolutely miniscule buyout. But like I said, Kotkaniemi is a negative-value makeweight to enable a cheaper acquisition cost for Necas.

Habs would also lose their last retention spot, once it opens up again July 1st I believe and it sounds like if Necas is dealt, it's before that time period, so a deal with a retained Anderson is unlikely

Eh, I'm sure they can come up with some arrangement to execute the second part of the trade (Anderson retained for X) after July 1st. I don't think that issue should get in the way.

 

[26Mats]

Owen Beck, after a stellar end to his junior career is a sell high candidate. I like the player. A swiss-army knife kind of guy. But.....stuck as 3rd line centre at most for a long time in Montreal. Great trade bait for Necas.

Winnipeg 1st + Beck + Harris for Martin Necas.

Canes need players right now. Maybe Anderson 50% retained added to that package works - if they're really enamored with Beck. But I think the main piece the Canes will want is a player that can help them right now. Perhaps a 3 way trade where a 3rd party gives up a good vet in their prime for our 26th overall.

But I suspect we'd have to include Matheson to get Necas, if the Canes or a 3rd party want him at that Price. And no guarantee Hughes is ready to give up Matheson.

At some point we'll have to give up one of Matheson or Xhekaj, if the plan is to go with Guhle and Hutson on the left side long term. So one of Matheson or Xhekaj is probably expendable long term. One of Matheson, Xhekaj, Guhle, or Hutson is definitely expendable long term.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Habs fans didn't think Lehkonen had that much more in him either. Sometimes the player doesn't fit in the structure.

I'm not sure what you mean by Habs fans, but I'd argue a majority of posters on here knew he had "that much more in him". Hell, realistically the only difference between Lehkonen in Montreal and Colorado is PP time and quality of teammates. Its less structure and more playing with guys like MacKinnon and Makar. Honestly, there's a better argument with Drouin, although a lot of it also just playing more with elite players.

There's a lot of Necas takes on here (like Dubois a year ago) that make me wonder if people only watched him in the playoffs, but there's plenty of reasons to be skeptical that he'll be worth his next contract. It sounds like Montreal isn't pushing their chips in yet though which is smart.

 

[Kosseca]

The two hardest spots to fill are C1 and C2. We have those in Suzuki and Dach.....for many years to come. C3 and C4 are easier to fill through FA or trade, or development. You can never have too much depth, but that wouldn't stop me from shopping the prospects we do have, if it makes the top 6 better.

You are jumping into a discussion where you are missing pieces. the debate was about the value of Beck being either a mid 1st rd or end of 1st rd draft pick. I dont think anyone would be upset if you where to trade Beck (who's projected to be a 3C) for a 60pts+ top6 players

Also, Dach hasn't proven yet he can do that 2C role. People have expectation that he can but he still has to do it 1 season for it to be true. So having depth in the system is just good management.

 

[26Mats]

The uncertainty of what Kapenan can do and... the absence of other option make MTL C depth... piss poor

I'm also hoping Kapanen can develop into a NHL player, but it's clear that the system is too thin at C

I wouldn't call Suzuki, Dach, Newhook, plus vets that still have a good 6 years left in Evan's and Dvorak, plus promising prospects like Beck and Kapanen piss poor depth, personally.

I'm not sure what you mean by Habs fans, but I'd argue a majority of posters on here knew he had "that much more in him". Hell, realistically the only difference between Lehkonen in Montreal and Colorado is PP time and quality of teammates. Its less structure and more playing with guys like MacKinnon and Makar. Honestly, there's a better argument with Drouin, although a lot of it also just playing more with elite players.

There's a lot of Necas takes on here (like Dubois a year ago) that make me wonder if people only watched him in the playoffs, but there's plenty of reasons to be skeptical that he'll be worth his next contract. It sounds like Montreal isn't pushing their chips in yet though which is smart.

Not sure a majority of Habs fans saw Lehkonen as a 60+ point player, even if playing with MacKinnon. Not sure Sakic even saw that.

 

[Kosseca]

I wouldn't call Suzuki, Dach, Newhook, plus vets that still have a good 6 years left in Evan's and Dvorak, plus promising prospects like Beck and Kapanen piss poor depth, personally.


Not sure a majority of Habs fans saw Lehkonen as a 60+ point player, even if playing with MacKinnon. Not sure Sakic even saw that.

It's not good either. Last year we had nobody to recall from Laval that could realistically play in the NHL in the future. Beck and Kapanen graduating this year improve the depth, but lose Dach and Dvorak again for a few months and you are back to Suzuki, Newhook, Evan and a recall. That's not too hot. now imagine trading Beck as some are suggesting, who's your recall?

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Why are people talking about Wifi and the 10th? Why in the world would NJ do that? That's absurd.

 

[Whalers Fan]

I wanna talk about Selma Hayek.

I just watched Desperado again a few nights ago, so I would be okay with that. She was smokin' hot in that film. Certainly better than rehashing Necas, Zegras, Laine and PLD for the umpteenth time.

Owen Beck, after a stellar end to his junior career is a sell high candidate. I like the player. A swiss-army knife kind of guy. But.....stuck as 3rd line centre at most for a long time in Montreal. Great trade bait for Necas.

Winnipeg 1st + Beck + Harris for Martin Necas.

The Habs don't need a quality, cost controlled 3C?

 

[The Great Weal]

Why would the Devils want Matheson? Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton will be their PP dmen. Hell they might even go with Nemec if needed.

 

[ReHabs]

Why are people talking about Wifi and the 10th? Why in the world would NJ do that? That's absurd.

I think the concept was Monty + Wifi for the 10th. I'm not super sold on it but overrating Xhekaj (arguably my favourite current player) is what this fanbase is bound to do during a rebuild cycle. He's a passionate, hard-hitting, hard-fighting, diamond-in-the-rough tough defender. There is going to be irrational support behind him because he elicits an irrational love from the fans.

 

[26Mats]

It's not good either. Last year we had nobody to recall from Laval that could realistically play in the NHL in the future. Beck and Kapanen graduating this year improve the depth, but lose Dach and Dvorak again for a few months and you are back to Suzuki, Newhook, Evan and a recall. That's not too hot. now imagine trading Beck as some are suggesting, who's your recall?

For sure I'd like to add a versatile offensive vet like Monahan that can play both wing and center while we wait for Beck and Kapanen.

But, I'm willing to trade Beck to help the top 6 forwards, if the scouts project us to be getting an upgrade on Beck. The bottom six is easier to address in trades, free agency, and the draft than the top 6. And we have the surplus depth of young d prospects and picks to address the bottom six.

Why would the Devils want Matheson? Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton will be their PP dmen. Hell they might even go with Nemec if needed.

I don't see Matheson as a fit at all in Jersey. Would have to be a 3rd party team if it's a Matheson for 10th overall swap.

I could see the Devils wanting Xhekaj, and definitely Guhle.

 

[Captain Mountain]

I wouldn't call Suzuki, Dach, Newhook, plus vets that still have a good 6 years left in Evan's and Dvorak, plus promising prospects like Beck and Kapanen piss poor depth, personally.


Not sure a majority of Habs fans saw Lehkonen as a 60+ point player, even if playing with MacKinnon. Not sure Sakic even saw that.

Lehkonen isn't a 60 point player. He's hit 51 points. His 5v5 production rate and impacts have been the same to worse in Colorado than in Montreal. Its not a structure or system thing, its a playing more (in offensive situations) with better players thing. That's why its so important for Montreal to acquire elite players on this rebuild, no matter how long it takes. Look at the cup finalists - Edmonton was the poster child for a super long rebuild, but they eventually got the building blocks they needed, and Florida was awful for a long time even after they drafted Barkov, Ekblad and Huberdeau.

 

[Kosseca]

For sure I'd like to add a versatile offensive vet like Monahan that can play both wing and center while we wait for Beck and Kapanen.

But, I'm willing to trade Beck to help the top 6 forwards, if the scouts project us to be getting an upgrade on Beck. The bottom six is easier to address in trades, free agency, and the draft than the top 6. And we have the surplus depth of young d prospects and picks to address the bottom six.


I don't see Matheson as a fit at all in Jersey. Would have to be a 3rd party team if it's a Matheson for 10th overall swap.

I could see the Devils wanting Xhekaj, and definitely Guhle.

Trading Beck is not out of the question, specially if it return a legit young top6 guy. i'm just more cautious as to what kind of package i'm willing to put him in.

 

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

If we pull a trade for Necas and KK is the piece to make it work, can we ask Carolina to retain like 15% of KK's contract so when we buy out KK Carolina is on the hook for 15% of tbe buy out penalty? Just a last little petty move so that Carolina remembers us every time pays are sent out?

 

[The Great Weal]

I don't see Matheson as a fit at all in Jersey. Would have to be a 3rd party team if it's a Matheson for 10th overall swap.

I could see the Devils wanting Xhekaj, and definitely Guhle.

I feel like they will make a trade around the 10th OA and Askarov, goaltending is their priority right now. Funny enough, Nashville could definitely use a Matheson, but I'm not sure if they are going for a rebuild or trying to be a competitive team.

 

[Whalers Fan]

If we pull a trade for Necas and KK is the piece to make it work, can we ask Carolina to retain like 15% of KK's contract so when we buy out KK Carolina is on the hook for 15% of tbe buy out penalty? Just a last little petty move so that Carolina remembers us every time pays are sent out?

I think that would eat up one of Carolina's three salary retention spots for the duration of the buyout. They won't do that.

 

[sampollock]

“I also believe that the Anaheim Ducks and the Montreal Canadiens have resumed discussions regarding Trevor Zegras. » - Pierre LeBrun

smoke again

 

[LaP]

Why are people talking about Wifi and the 10th? Why in the world would NJ do that? That's absurd.

Next season Jack Hughes will be 24, Bratt 26, Hischier 25, Meier 27, Mercer 23. Schmid 24.

At one point you must avoid doing like MB and must go for it. Those guys are entering their prime and the future for the devils is now not in 5 years. A 10th overall pick is far from being guarantee to make it to the NHL d + 1. It might takes 3 to 5 years for this pick to develop in which case it will be too late to help the current core.

It makes a lot of sense for the devils to trade that pick. And they wont get an elite player for it. 10th overall picks are not worth guys like Suzuki or Caufield not even close. NYI traded their 13th overall for Romanov and while i liked Romanov he was not a high quality prospect. The value of Xhekaj must not be too far from Romanov tbh. NJ will want more but they wont get guys like Guhle with that pick that wont happen.

 

[Eegs]

Owen Beck, after a stellar end to his junior career is a sell high candidate. I like the player. A swiss-army knife kind of guy. But.....stuck as 3rd line centre at most for a long time in Montreal. Great trade bait for Necas.

Winnipeg 1st + Beck + Harris for Martin Necas.

That's one of the first legit offers I've seen for Necas. When it makes you pause because you aren't sure you would make the move, you know it's a decent offer.

That said, I know Necas is obviously available, yet i'm not sure he's a player I want the Habs to target. He's one of those players that looks amazing on the ice because he's an elite skater, but i'm not sure how much he adds to the "bottom line" in terms of wins.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

I'm not sure what you mean by Habs fans, but I'd argue a majority of posters on here knew he had "that much more in him". Hell, realistically the only difference between Lehkonen in Montreal and Colorado is PP time and quality of teammates. Its less structure and more playing with guys like MacKinnon and Makar. Honestly, there's a better argument with Drouin, although a lot of it also just playing more with elite players.

There's a lot of Necas takes on here (like Dubois a year ago) that make me wonder if people only watched him in the playoffs, but there's plenty of reasons to be skeptical that he'll be worth his next contract. It sounds like Montreal isn't pushing their chips in yet though which is smart.

I strongly disagree. During most of his time here beyond playoffs and rookie season, Lehk was unappreciated and underrated. Most considered him a 3rd liner and hindered the development of KK or was a waste in top 6 role. It was really before he was dealt that people on this board gave him credit.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Habs fans didn't think Lehkonen had that much more in him either. Sometimes the player doesn't fit in the structure.


Kotkaniemi has 6 years left including the upcoming season, or 12 years with the absolutely miniscule buyout. But like I said, Kotkaniemi is a negative-value makeweight to enable a cheaper acquisition cost for Necas.

Eh, I'm sure they can come up with some arrangement to execute the second part of the trade (Anderson retained for X) after July 1st. I don't think that issue should get in the way.

Hopefully, but again, I doubt Hughes wants to bring KK on. Not just because it's him and he likely doesn't want to come back, but rather it's a longer useless contract and it's a 12 year problem,.even if minimal. Teams know any little cap helps to facilitate a trade, or signing.

From what people are saying, Montreal wants to really push next offseason. Anderson might be an easier option to sell at a full cap hit as part of a bigger trade with only 2 seasons left.