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

[sandviper]

Could it be that Verbeek wants a top defensive player in exchange for Zegras because he's planning on drafting a forward?

My thought also. Say we do this trade, which I don’t want, Ducks will be taking Demidov or Lindstrom most likely, though I don’t know how they rate/value the other forwards.

 

[The Great Weal]

I still want Clayton Keller

 

[Miller Time]

Even the dreaded enemy of the Canadiens, the Quebec Nordiques almost got Patrick Roy. Serge Savard wanted to trade him there for Owen Nolan but it felt through. Nords-Habs was by far more hostile than Habs-Sens.

With the right offer, anything can happen. Just have to give them the player(s) they want.

Completely different context.

We traded Pleks to the Laffs a few years back. Rivalry trades are one thing.

This is a completely different, and unique, situation.

 

[Heffyhoof]

I like Zegras but like Dubois, it purely depends on the price. He's not a guy I'd overpay for.

I wouldn't trade Ghule or Reinbacher for a return similar to what Dubois got, so I see no reason to offer either for Zegras. It'll be the same situation as Dubois where it's more quantity because no team is going to offer what the current pretend value for Zegras is.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

My feeling is we will go after Kakko!
I also think they will salvage Anderson's situation this year as they did with Armia but they will send him away before trade deadline.

They will draft one of Linstrum or Iginla. Which gives us a very Nice top 9.

Caufield, Suzuki, Slaf
Lindstrum, Dach, Roy
Kakko, Newhook, Armia

Kakko is a bust why waste time

 

[B1g B1rd]

I hope we continue to build the way we've been doing last few years. Necas or Zegras will cost millions. Are they worth it? Not sure. I'd rather draft and if possible, make a trade a la Dack/Newhook.

Keep our D pool. It's a bit early to trade either, we have to see what we have before. With Armia and Dvorak possible trade dealine potential, we will be in a better position to make worthy deals next year.

It may not be a popular thought but IMO, patience is required, at least for one other year.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

I said it awhile ago, I believe the target will be Kent Johnson from Columbus. Johnson was bouncing between the AHL and NHL, and doesn't seem to have the confidence of the Bluejackets coach. Add in a new GM in Waddell, and Hughes wanting to make a splash for a talented forward, and I think there is a strong possibility that Johnson is wearing the CH next season.

I’d offer:
2026 1st round pick (acquired from Winnipeg)
Jayden Struble
Justin Barron

Habs leave the draft with Johnson and Lindstrom/Iginla as their big prizes.

Habs lineup (potentially)in a couple of seasons:

Johnson - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Iginla/Lindstrom - Dach - Caufield
Roy - Beck - Newhook
Tuch - Xhekaj - Gallagher/Anderson

Guhle - Reinbacher
Hutson - ______
Xhekaj - Mailloux

Montembeault
Fowler

 

[le_sean]

I said it awhile ago, I believe the target will be Kent Johnson from Columbus. Johnson was bouncing between the AHL and NHL, and doesn't seem to have the confidence of the Bluejackets coach. Add in a new GM in Waddell, and Hughes wanting to make a splash for a talented forward, and I think there is a strong possibility that Johnson is wearing the CH next season.

I’d offer:
2026 1st round pick (acquired from Winnipeg)
Jayden Struble
Justin Barron

Habs leave the draft with Johnson and Lindstrom/Iginla as their big prizes.

Habs lineup (potentially)in a couple of seasons:

Johnson - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Iginla/Lindstrom - Dach - Caufield
Roy - Beck - Newhook
Tuch - Xhekaj - Gallagher/Anderson

Guhle - Reinbacher
Hutson - ______
Xhekaj - Mailloux

Montembeault
Fowler

He could be a good buy low candidate, but I feel his upside is basically Zegras. So why not just pay more to get the player already there that also has a bit of untapped potential?

 

[ML16]

If the Habs draft a

I hope we continue to build the way we've been doing last few years. Necas or Zegras will cost millions. Are they worth it? Not sure. I'd rather draft and if possible, make a trade a la Dack/Newhook.

Keep our D pool. It's a bit early to trade either, we have to see what we have before. With Armia and Dvorak possible trade dealine potential, we will be in a better position to make worthy deals next year.

It may not be a popular thought but IMO, patience is required, at least for one other year.

The issue with keeping the D pool intact for 2024-2025 is that Harris and Barron will be waiver-eligible at the start of the season and that Struble (15 GP remaining), Guhle (46 GP remaining) and Xhekaj (65 GP remaining) could also become waiver-eligible before the end of that same season.

That's potentially five waiver-eligible D, notwithstanding Matheson and Savard of course.

Notwithstanding also that Hutson, Reinbacher (and maybe Mailloux) - although all waiver-exempt next year no matter how many GP - have a fighting chance of starting in Montreal as well...

Really curious of the Habs' strategy onwards, will they :

1. Protect their NHL assets (Harris, Barron) and opt to stack the Laval Rocket backend with : Hutson, Reinbacher, Mailloux, one of Struble/Xhekaj and Engstrom until spots open up due to injuries or TDL 2025 (Savard).

Matheson - Guhle
Xhekaj/Struble - Savard
Harris - Barron
Kovacevic

2. Make room in Montreal to develop Hutson and/or Reinbacher from the outset :

Matheson - Guhle
Hutson - Savard
Xhekaj/Struble - Reinbacher
Harris - Barron
Kovacevic

In the second scenario, I think it's likely that at least one (if not two) of Xhekaj/Struble/Harris/Barron/Kovacevic are traded before the start of the season.

If that occurs, I think Struble might actually be the optimal trade bait if we factor in his market value and the Habs' LHD "internal redundancy"; packaging Struble + WPG's 1st for example should be an enticing starting offer to target either a promising young forward or move up from #26 OA to the #15 OA range at the draft.

 

[Rapala]

So if we’re to believe Basu, the Ducks want Reinbacher, as they believe he’s a premier player in return for Zegras.

BUT, our own fandom thinks Reinbacher is not a premier prospect (MAYBE a 4th D, write some here).

Cherchez l’erreur.

This whole Zegras thing was dead for me before it was two minutes old.
First of all I don't think he fits the bill for the type of top six player we hope to land.
Secondly you don't blow a hole in the wall you just started building.
We have holes to blow elsewhere.
So many trade proposals just don't take into consideration where we are actually at in our rebuild.

 

[Halakitlikethat]

Oh my god please no Zegras.

 

[Skip Bayless]

This whole Zegras thing was dead for me before it was two minutes old.
First of all I don't think he fits the bill for the type of top six player we hope to land.
Secondly you don't blow a hole in the wall you just started building.
We have holes to blow elsewhere.
So many trade proposals just don't take into consideration where we are actually at in our rebuild.

The issue is fans are hoping for the over the top move before finishing the base.

Hughes and Gorton are smart people, they know this. They're just making due dilligence in case they can land a freebie, but it's not likely to happen.

 

[G0bias]

He could be a good buy low candidate, but I feel his upside is basically Zegras. So why not just pay more to get the player already there that also has a bit of untapped potential?

Because it could mean one of Reinbacher or Ghule having to go the other way in this case. Whereas Johnson might be more of the same kind of return Dach and Newhook got.

 

[le_sean]

Because it could mean one of Reinbacher or Ghule having to go the other way in this case. Whereas Johnson might be more of the same kind of return Dach and Newhook got.

That’s fair, but it’s for yet another maybe. At some point we need to make a bold move for a player we know is good.

 

[G0bias]

That’s fair, but it’s for yet another maybe. At some point we need to make a bold move for a player we know is good.

I agree. Personally i'm not entirely convinced Zegras is that player.

 

[le_sean]

I agree. Personally i'm not entirely convinced Zegras is that player.

I agree with this too. Though I will say it would be sick to hear the Bell Centre if he pulls off a Michigan

 

[Ezpz]

Skilled players have to produce to survive here. You can't be a Drouin and show up 20 games a season and be praised. The question is is Zegras a Drouin?

Narrative will be he produced this year but besting your career best by 3 points playing with a guy who hit 140 is not great.

Zegras had an awful year while two guys younger than him looked much better. Losing your spot to an 18 and 20 year old isn't great.

At the same time if he's being brought in as a second line winger and the price isn't bad it's probably worth a gamble. This isn't a franchise player though and shouldn't have assets traded like he is.

 

[ReHabs]

Skilled players have to produce to survive here. You can't be a Drouin and show up 20 games a season and be praised. The question is is Zegras a Drouin?

Narrative will be he produced this year but besting your career best by 3 points playing with a guy who hit 140 is not great.

Zegras had an awful year while two guys younger than him looked much better. Losing your spot to an 18 and 20 year old isn't great.

At the same time if he's being brought in as a second line winger and the price isn't bad it's probably worth a gamble. This isn't a franchise player though and shouldn't have assets traded like he is.

Drouin and Zegras couldn’t be more different in terms of personality

 

[le_sean]

Drouin and Zegras couldn’t be more different in terms of personality

That’s a good point. I think Zegras would eat up the attention. He looks like he craves it. Drouin was the opposite.

Plus all we’d ask of Zegras is to revert back to the player he was two years ago. If he stays a 65 point player, that’s perfect.

 

[Steve Shutt]

Imagine HuGo decide to trade our 2025 MTL 1st (unprotected) for a 2024 1st. Which pick do you think would be fair value? My initial thinking is something in the 10-15 range but curious what others think.

 

[Vachon23]

Imagine HuGo decide to trade our 2025 MTL 1st (unprotected) for a 2024 1st. Which pick do you think would be fair value? My initial thinking is something in the 10-15 range but curious what others think.

I wouldn’t trade our 1st without protection, could be really dangerous

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Imagine HuGo decide to trade our 2025 MTL 1st (unprotected) for a 2024 1st. Which pick do you think would be fair value? My initial thinking is something in the 10-15 range but curious what others think.

With the roster we have at the moment , we are 1 injury away from Suzuki to finish bottom 5. So yeah never.

 

[Benstheman]

Imagine HuGo decide to trade our 2025 MTL 1st (unprotected) for a 2024 1st. Which pick do you think would be fair value? My initial thinking is something in the 10-15 range but curious what others think.

Would absolutely have to be top 10 imo.

 

[Benstheman]

With the roster we have at the moment , we are 1 injury away from Suzuki to finish bottom 5. So yeah never.

I agree. Could be bottom 5 and solid chance of winning a top 2 pick. No way it’s happening.

 

[yianik]

Even the dreaded enemy of the Canadiens, the Quebec Nordiques almost got Patrick Roy. Serge Savard wanted to trade him there for Owen Nolan but it felt through. Nords-Habs was by far more hostile than Habs-Sens.

With the right offer, anything can happen. Just have to give them the player(s) they want.

Lol. " Far more hostile" is mild my friend. Hate. Absolute hate. We played the Bruins a bunch most recently and I couldn't stand them, despised in a big way. But the Nords ? I would be on my knees by the TV urging the team on to beat those SOBS. When we knocked them out of the playoffs that was almost the Cup right there.

But frig it was fun. Ha.