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

[Saundies]

Montreal is so bad that literally every team in the East is a playoff competitor. And trading for a Pageau or signing a Monahan isn't going to do much to improve their playoff odds.

Not really.

"So bad" is San Jose this year. "So bad" was the Blackhawks last season. We're a mediocre, young team and that's fine. I expect the team to take a step next year if Dach stays on the ice for 40+ games.

I doubt they make the playoffs but I see them finishing 10-12th last rather than bottom 10.

 

[Deus ex machina]

Montreal is so bad that literally every team in the East is a playoff competitor. And trading for a Pageau or signing a Monahan isn't going to do much to improve their playoff odds.

If Dach can stay healthy and they make a couple of other moves, they might not be that bad.
The Islanders are a bubble team and they're getting older. They are a good candidate to miss the playoffs this year. The Habs will probably have to be better than them to make the playoffs.
I was talking more about the Habs helping the Isles by clearing cap space for them, not the other way around.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Not for nothing, but the idea that Dvorak sucks and has been more injured compared to Monahan who sucked in Calgary and has been even more injured since 2020 isn't a great selling point.

I'm not even against re-acquiring Monahan, but I think, based on comparables and projections, the contract he can get on the open market is not one Montreal should pay.

I also don't see why Monahan helps Dach become a center. Montreal has guys who win faceoffs and while Monahan's poor defensive play was overstated, he's not exactly a role model for center responsibility. And considering Dach's already lengthy injury history, I'm not sure a guy who has a history of ignoring injuries until they get unmanageable is the best role model.

Like, if the motivation is acquiring a guy to teach Dach to be a center (which I don't think is necessary), I'd rather talk a deal with the Islanders. They have serious cap issues if they want to improve and would probably be happy to move Pageau with a sweetener for Montreal if there's no salary going to them. Pageau is only under contract for two seasons, has serious playoff experience, is responsible defensively, is a face-off specialist, wouldn't take a PP spot from guys like Dach and Newhook, and would take PK time which could free up Suzuki to play more offense-oriented minutes.

Suzuki was terrible on the dot and I'm assuming both Dvorak and Monahan have helped.

I didn't say Monahan is a great centre, or should play full time, but rather would be able to assist Dach by taking some draws, giving him pointers and being a useful player in the offensive zone for him to play with.

Pageau is an option, but that's still 5 mill (could be more, could be less than what Monahan gets) it all depends on the cost to acquire Pageau.

I'm not saying Monahan needs to come back, I'm just stating what he brings if he does come back.

Feels like the Kovalchuk with Bergevin option where it seemed almost certain he would be back and now, not so much. Especially after he didn't really do much in the post season.

 

[Runner77]

Suzuki was terrible on the dot and I'm assuming both Dvorak and Monahan have helped.

I didn't say Monahan is a great centre, or should play full time, but rather would be able to assist Dach by taking some draws, giving him pointers and being a useful player in the offensive zone for him to play with.

Pageau is an option, but that's still 5 mill (could be more, could be less than what Monahan gets) it all depends on the cost to acquire Pageau.

I'm not saying Monahan needs to come back, I'm just stating what he brings if he does come back.

Feels like the Kovalchuk with Bergevin option where it seemed almost certain he would be back and now, not so much. Especially after he didn't really do much in the post season.

Maybe Monahan not having the best playoffs helps set his value lower, who knows.

 

[JoelWarlord]

Monahan isn't coming back. He's going to (reasonably) want 4-5 years as this will probably be his last real chance to cash in and it would be absurd for us to give him that kind of contract. He signed a cheap prove it deal and had 59 points in 83 (!) regular season games going into a UFA class that has nothing at C after E. Lindholm. This is the strongest his negotiating power will ever be, he's not coming back to the Habs on a team friendly low-ball.

We'll be running Suzuki, Dach, Dvorak, Evans up the middle and trading Dvorak at the deadline and probably extending Evans to a deal that we'll complain about on this board but will end up being fine.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Suzuki was terrible on the dot and I'm assuming both Dvorak and Monahan have helped.

I didn't say Monahan is a great centre, or should play full time, but rather would be able to assist Dach by taking some draws, giving him pointers and being a useful player in the offensive zone for him to play with.

Pageau is an option, but that's still 5 mill (could be more, could be less than what Monahan gets) it all depends on the cost to acquire Pageau.

I'm not saying Monahan needs to come back, I'm just stating what he brings if he does come back.

Feels like the Kovalchuk with Bergevin option where it seemed almost certain he would be back and now, not so much. Especially after he didn't really do much in the post season.

It is a very weak center UFA market. It would not be surprising if Monahan got between 4.5 mil to 6 mil a year for 3-4 years.

I also don't get the Kovalchuk comparison, it was always unlikely he would be back, and it was always unlikely that Monahan would be back. Kovalchuk was also with the Habs for a quarter of the season and then left the NHL for good.

 

[BoneHutson]

I had the same idea when i saw that he was on Seravalli's trade board. The only problem is you'd be helping a direct competitor for a playoffs spot.

But i think something like the following could be interesting for both teams:

To Habs:
Pageau
20th OA
54th or 61st OA

To Islanders:
26th OA

Nah, just JGP + 20th for 56th straight up.

 

[Deus ex machina]

Nah, just JGP + 20th for 56th straight up.

I tried to be realistic and not too gready.
That trade you proposed would imply that Pageau should be paid 1.25M per year. That's a little low.

But if they can swing that, all the better.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

It is a very weak center UFA market. It would not be surprising if Monahan got between 4.5 mil to 6 mil a year for 3-4 years.

I also don't get the Kovalchuk comparison, it was always unlikely he would be back, and it was always unlikely that Monahan would be back. Kovalchuk was also with the Habs for a quarter of the season and then left the NHL for good.

Yeah, but Bergevin did the whole "trade you where you want to go and not for the best return", so it seemed like Kovalchuk would be back and there was a little chatter.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Not really.

"So bad" is San Jose this year. "So bad" was the Blackhawks last season. We're a mediocre, young team and that's fine. I expect the team to take a step next year if Dach stays on the ice for 40+ games.

I doubt they make the playoffs but I see them finishing 10-12th last rather than bottom 10.

San Jose this season and Chicago last season are among the worst teams in the NHL in the cap era. In the average season, there are no teams as bad as they were.

10th to 12th could very easily be bottom 10 depending how the season roles. They need serious internal growth to get out of the range they're in right now, which may or may not happen. Its all part of rebuilding.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Yeah, but Bergevin did the whole "trade you where you want to go and not for the best return", so it seemed like Kovalchuk would be back and there was a little chatter.

"trade you where you want to go and not for the best return" has very little effect on if a player would sign somewhere or not. And Montreal traded Monahan because the max return was unlikely to be much higher, not because it was where Monahan wanted to go.

They turned Kovalchuk into a free 3rd. The max return was not going to be much more than that, so it doesn't hurt to be accommodating.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

"trade you where you want to go and not for the best return" has very little effect on if a player would sign somewhere or not. And Montreal traded Monahan because the max return was unlikely to be much higher, not because it was where Monahan wanted to go.

They turned Kovalchuk into a free 3rd. The max return was not going to be much more than that, so it doesn't hurt to be accommodating.

It was reported that Boston had offered a 2nd for Kovalchuk , but he wanted to go to Washington. Proceeded to do nothing in the playoffs.

I think the lack of production in the playoffs might make the Habs reconsider bringing him back, not that it was a given anyways.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Basu mentions that his quote about the Ducks asking for Guhle, or Reinbacher was taken out of context. He said that's what he would ask if he were the Ducks and he wouldn't do that.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

They mentioned they don't think acquiring Laine would cost much, but there's question marks/concerns.

Doesn't see the Habs interested in Ehlers.

Konency would be a good choice, bur Godin says he's likely to extend with the flyers and doesn't see an issue there (for the flyers to extend Konencny.

Bring up Perron as a potential UFA target. Says he likely would like to end his career in Montreal.

"I think there are guys were not thinking of. I really think there will be some sort of outside the box trade we're not expecting."

- Basu

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Basu would be surprised if the Habs made the 26th pick. Thinks it's used in a trade, or used to move up.

 

[Milhouse40]

They mentioned they don't think acquiring Laine would cost much, but there's question marks/concerns.

Doesn't see the Habs interested in Ehlers.

Konency would be a good choice, bur Godin says he's likely to extend with the flyers and doesn't see an issue there (for the flyers to extend Konencny.

Bring up Perron as a potential UFA target. Says he likely would like to end his career in Montreal.

"I think there are guys were not thinking of. I really think there will be some sort of outside the box trade we're not expecting."

- Basu

Thinking outside the box.....something that is really hard to do when living in that echochamber.
Considering our management did pretty much only just that and creating little miracles here and there.....they should just think outside the box and forget about the usual names out there.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Some repeated references to bad blood between the two owners.

I infer that Dundon was insulted by Molson’s Habs implying he was too cash-poor to pay a signing bonus. It wasn’t the Canes that were cash-poor but the Habs were mindless and got played by Aho’s agent like a fiddle. It was worth a try but not at those paltry numbers.

It wasn't that Montreal thought he was cash poor it's that they thought he was too cheap to pay it. They've been proven right for the most part, but also severely underestimated the impact to his ego.

Carolina will not sign either Necas or Guentzel, and probably won't sign Pesce and Chatfield, too. This is after they let Hamilton and Trochek walk too because they don't want to pay UFA prices.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

What would be a good package for Kent Johnson?

Former 5th overall in 2021.

Feels like there is something that could be workable there for a big trade.

4th overall + Johnson + Gudbranson (cap dump, negative value)
VS
5th overall + 26 overall + Mailloux/Barron/Struble/Harris ??

That's a lot to move up one spot. I wouldn't do that.

 

[Runner77]

Basu mentions that his quote about the Ducks asking for Guhle, or Reinbacher was taken out of context. He said that's what he would ask if he were the Ducks and he wouldn't do that.

What context was that — he farted that out while pretending to play GM?

I called it a while back:

”Basu the androgynous, soothsayer art model that Da Vinci rendered in an oil painting (dubbed the "Monu Lisu"), stored in Le Louvre's underbelly.”

 

[Benstheman]

Alright. Here me out. If Demidov and Lindstrom are gone comes the 5OA, Habs should do:

Trade 5OA and Calgary’s 2025 1st
For
9OA and Rasmuss Andersson.

Then:
Matheson and 3rd round
For
Minn’s 13OA

Draft Sennecke and MBN.

Trade 26OA + 57OA + Barron for Farabee.

In 2/3 years:

Slaf-Suzuki-Sennecke
Farabee-Dach-Caufield
MBN-Newhook-Roy
Tuch-Beck-Xhekaj

Guhle-Andersson
Hutson-Reinbacher
Xhekaj-Mailloux

PS that D is f***ing fire

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

They mentioned they don't think acquiring Laine would cost much, but there's question marks/concerns.

Doesn't see the Habs interested in Ehlers.

Konency would be a good choice, bur Godin says he's likely to extend with the flyers and doesn't see an issue there (for the flyers to extend Konencny.

Bring up Perron as a potential UFA target. Says he likely would like to end his career in Montreal.

"I think there are guys were not thinking of. I really think there will be some sort of outside the box trade we're not expecting."

- Basu

After habs letting Perron rot like 4 times when he was UFA dont know why they would let him come when hes washed up . unless ''stun ptit gars de chez nous''

Wish habs would try to hit a bigger fish than ''project'' players

 

[Miller Time]

After habs letting Perron rot like 4 times when he was UFA dont know why they would let him come when hes washed up . unless ''stun ptit gars de chez nous''

Wish habs would try to hit a bigger fish than ''project'' players

A big fish would be great, but I don't think that precludes kicking tires on Perron.

At the right cap hit, and on a 1-2yr deal he'd be a very good depth addition to bolster the middle six/secondary scoring.

If he's looking to max out as a UFA, forget it... But if he wants to wrap up his career playing in Montreal as a vet addition to a young core, he could be a great fit.

He showed down the stretch this year that he's still got something left in the tank (avg. 17min+ through the last ~15games with 13 points), while Red Wings were chasing playoff spot down to the wire.

 

[Scintillating10]

Alright. Here me out. If Demidov and Lindstrom are gone comes the 5OA, Habs should do:

Trade 5OA and Calgary’s 2025 1st
For
9OA and Rasmuss Andersson.

Then:
Matheson and 3rd round
For
Minn’s 13OA

Draft Sennecke and MBN.

Trade 26OA + 57OA + Barron for Farabee.

In 2/3 years:

Slaf-Suzuki-Sennecke
Farabee-Dach-Caufield
MBN-Newhook-Roy
Tuch-Beck-Xhekaj

Guhle-Andersson
Hutson-Reinbacher
Xhekaj-Mailloux

PS that D is f***ing fire

I wouldn't move that Calgary pick.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

A big fish would be great, but I don't think that precludes kicking tires on Perron.

At the right cap hit, and on a 1-2yr deal he'd be a very good depth addition to bolster the middle six/secondary scoring.

If he's looking to max out as a UFA, forget it... But if he wants to wrap up his career playing in Montreal as a vet addition to a young core, he could be a great fit.

He showed down the stretch this year that he's still got something left in the tank (avg. 17min+ through the last ~15games with 13 points), while Red Wings were chasing playoff spot down to the wire.

He could fit for a year if we dont find something worthy to make a trade this summer and perhaps get a 3rd round at the deadline , im just saying he should be option D or E before we think of him. I would rather try to find a way to make our bottom 6 useful but without trading the leftovers we have , its kinda hard

 

[ReHabs]

It wasn't that Montreal thought he was cash poor it's that they thought he was too cheap to pay it. They've been proven right for the most part, but also severely underestimated the impact to his ego.

Carolina will not sign either Necas or Guentzel, and probably won't sign Pesce and Chatfield, too. This is after they let Hamilton and Trochek walk too because they don't want to pay UFA prices.

They have a perennial playoff team and retained all their real star players. Sebastian Aho (remember him?) will be just starting his 9.75m contract as of July 1st. I think they're moneyballing because they see so much inefficiency in the NHL cap system.

Results since 2019... can't be so bad

Year	Record	Result
2024	52-23-7	Lost Conference Semi-Finals (Won 1 Round)
2023	52-21-9	Lost Conference Finals (Won 2 Rounds)
2022	54-20-8	Lost Conference Semi-Finals (Won 1 Round)
2021	36-12-8	Lost Conference Semi-Finals (Won 1 Round)
2020	38-25-5	Lost First Round (Won 1 Round)
2019	46-29-7	Lost Conference Finals (Won 2 Rounds)