HF Habs: Trade Proposal Thread #88: 2024-25 Season

[Lafleurs Guy]

It’s definitely hard to look at our blueline and say there wasn’t enough room for anybody. The only reason there wasn’t enough room was because management did a poor job evaluating what we had and mismanaged who would play where and who had to go. I’ll be honest tho, most of us ended up being wrong on this particular subject as well.

I mean, I barely remember Kovacevic. I certainly don’t remember anyone screaming to keep him.

He’s worked out for the Devils and in hindsight I guess we should’ve kept him. But we got him off waivers to begin with.

He’s a good example of a big young blueliner who took a while to improve. If we ditch Baron it’s entirely possible we’re having the same discussions on him in a couple of years.

 

[Habssince89]

They have a great opportunity to revamp the D for next season without blocking any young guns from playing in the right chair. Obviously, Hutson and Guhle are locks for the left side, and as of right now Xhekaj has really started to improve so I'll slot him in at either LD or RD on the third pairing.

If they trade Matheson and Savard, that of course leaves our blueline with little veteran presence. But why don't we just flip Matheson for a RD? We could get a good one that provides less points, but delivers the kind of defence and stability that we need. For the team trading with us, they are likely in a position to maximize Matheson's good side and get a net gain in points, and have other RD that allows them to afford to trade one.

Then you can go out and explore the market for another RD, one that is maybe a bit older but can be a leader and eat minutes, similar to Savard but with more mobility. Take those two RD and pair them with Hutson and Guhle, and then allow the second spot on the third pair to be the one to win for our prospects. I would probably have Struble as the 7D. I doubt there's two RD prospects who are ready to make the jump over the others, so I think it places everyone in the right chair.

If we don't do something like this, then either our LD are going to play RD or we're rushing our RD prospects. I think we can do this turnaround without costing the world. We have our star Dman going forward, just need to get him a partner.

Hutson-RD#1
Guhle-RD#2
Xhekaj-[up for grabs]
Struble

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Kovacevic isn’t a #6 or 7 on neither New Jersey or Montreal.
Let’s just stop with the lies.

It was an absolute mistake to trade him, as he was Savard replacement, but like with Bergevin people will defend most decisions made by this new regime.

This should have been the defense this year, but we got to be “ in da mix” so let’s play Matheson 24+ minutes a game instead of figuring out what your young D can do.

Hutson Savard
Ghule Kovacevic
Xhekaj Baron
Struble

He was and is NOTHING special. Harris was better.

 

[salbutera]

Wahlstrom is the type of 'reclamation project' I could see us take, even though he's been rushed, he's certainly unimpressive since his starts in the NHL, but I suspect a change of scenery, away from Lamoriello, could benefit him.

If not, well, back on waivers, that's all.

He seems the type perfectly suited for MSL, and being a Massachusetts kid, HuGo likely have good insider info

 

[sampollock]

what about Jake Walman? for a d man trade?

 

[The Great Weal]

Wouldn’t be against taking a chance on Wahlstrom

And play him where? He's a Newhook with a bad work ethic.

 

[LaP]

I mean, I barely remember Kovacevic. I certainly don’t remember anyone screaming to keep him.

He’s worked out for the Devils and in hindsight I guess we should’ve kept him. But we got him off waivers to begin with.

He’s a good example of a big young blueliner who took a while to improve. If we ditch Baron it’s entirely possible we’re having the same discussions on him in a couple of years.

The funny thing with Kova is most of the people pumping his tire big time are the same calling all our prospects flop and also doubt Hutson as a potential number 1. So basically they flop our 20-21 years old prospects but consider Kova a grade A+ acquisition for the Devils while not a single NHL GM accepted to pay more than a 4th for him last summer while he was 27 years old. But obviously they know better ... Now i'm not advocating waiting for our prospects top be 27 before giving up on them but maybe just maybe waiting until they are 23 ....

 

[LaP]

They have a great opportunity to revamp the D for next season without blocking any young guns from playing in the right chair. Obviously, Hutson and Guhle are locks for the left side, and as of right now Xhekaj has really started to improve so I'll slot him in at either LD or RD on the third pairing.

If they trade Matheson and Savard, that of course leaves our blueline with little veteran presence. But why don't we just flip Matheson for a RD? We could get a good one that provides less points, but delivers the kind of defence and stability that we need. For the team trading with us, they are likely in a position to maximize Matheson's good side and get a net gain in points, and have other RD that allows them to afford to trade one.

Then you can go out and explore the market for another RD, one that is maybe a bit older but can be a leader and eat minutes, similar to Savard but with more mobility. Take those two RD and pair them with Hutson and Guhle, and then allow the second spot on the third pair to be the one to win for our prospects. I would probably have Struble as the 7D. I doubt there's two RD prospects who are ready to make the jump over the others, so I think it places everyone in the right chair.

If we don't do something like this, then either our LD are going to play RD or we're rushing our RD prospects. I think we can do this turnaround without costing the world. We have our star Dman going forward, just need to get him a partner.

Hutson-RD#1
Guhle-RD#2
Xhekaj-[up for grabs]
Struble

Ideally we should trade Savard next deadline and Matheson next summer. After that we want to sign at least one vet (26-28ish) top 4 RHD and a legit one not a stop gap.

 

[Runner77]

KH needs grit on this team. and ask Slaf how big he is? well then use it

Slaf doesn't know how to use his size advantage -- he turns his body awkwardly when fighting for pucks such that even smaller players can get around him.

This part of the game can be taught. Slaf needs a mentor.

 

[Habby4Life]

Lets be honest, this team has holes everywhere. One line (NS CC SLAF), Laine, Ghule, Hutson, Monty, thats it. The rest are just junk. Incredibly shitty 2nd, 3rd, 4th lines. No defensive depth or quality, and a backup goalie that would get lit up during my kids road hockey game.

The prospects are all just a gamble, none are a sure thing, especially difference makers outside of Demidov.

KH can use in the mix, but that is so far away. We are so far away from watching competitive Habs team.

 

[Kimota]

Trade for Tkachuk around CC +. We would finally be made at the center position.

Then Slaf for Lafreniere. Do I have to do everything around here. Come on Hughes you bald head numbnuts.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Juuso Parssinen is supposedly available.

Get him and dump someone else and see what he can do.

I mean it's something.

Trade for Tkachuk around CC +. We would finally be made at the center position.

Then Slaf for Lafreniere. Do I have to do everything around here. Come on Hughes you bald head numbnuts.

Sens trade Tkachuk it's out west. The overpayment to acquire a player like that from an in division team is immense.

 

[sampollock]

Slaf doesn't know how to use his size advantage -- he turns his body awkwardly when fighting for pucks such that even smaller players can get around him.

This part of the game can be taught. Slaf needs a mentor.

yes
he needs a power forward that knew how to work the boards and use his size

 

[vokiel]

what about Jake Walman? for a d man trade?

He's near PPG with the Sharks, I doubt they trade him for anything.

 

[Sterling Archer]

Yes our flaws are deep. But Kova would be better than Barron, he would make us better defensively, he makes us bigger down there and he would not be a reject from the left made it into a right side D by force. That matters. That cost us a goal last night cause Struble was skating like a headless chiken all mixed up cause he was not on his side. Never underestimate what a solid stay at home solid D can do. It's fortifying.

But they still would’ve lost the game. 8-2 instead of 9-2?

MIGHT be better then existing options but wouldn’t change the trasjectoey of the team.

Rather than obsessing over bottom line players, why not focus on adding top tier players who can make a difference to the outcomes of games? Kovy isn’t that guy.

 

[Sterling Archer]

yup
posters love to regress

Being back Markov and AK47!!

 

[Deam78]

Trade for Tkachuk around CC +. We would finally be made at the center position.

Then Slaf for Lafreniere. Do I have to do everything around here. Come on Hughes you bald head numbnuts.

I would love to get him, but Sens would never and Tkachuk is not a center btw

 

[Le Barron de HF]

In hindsight I wish we would have targeted Holloway. He's having a good year

 

[BozoTheClown]

He was and is NOTHING special. Harris was better.

You sure?

Kovacevic’s numbers and eye test with Montreal disagree with you.

Kovacevic’s numbers and eye test in New Jersey disagree with you.

New Jersey fans and management disagree with you.

People will keep drinking the HUGO koolaid like they drank the Bergevin’s until they get diabetic.

He wouldn’t have made a difference, just like last year.

It’s not about being a better team this year.

It’s about maximizing Matheson value in a trade while being lower in the standings and having a better pick and also having someone to replace Savard next year.

This organization has a very hard time being willing to take a step back to take 2 forwards.

 

[BozoTheClown]

The ultimate irony would be if Montreal did get Kovacevic back, he'd suck when he got here. Not because he's a bad D, but because the Habs are bad at D and the goaltending won't cover up his errors like they will in Jersey.

Kovacevic NOT the answer people. LOL.

Kovacevic would replace Savard next year. Matheson and Savard aren’t the answer to our future, but here we are playing Matheson 25 minutes and I am hearing talks about resigning Savard.
Complete stupidity.

 

[BozoTheClown]

It’s definitely hard to look at our blueline and say there wasn’t enough room for anybody. The only reason there wasn’t enough room was because management did a poor job evaluating what we had and mismanaged who would play where and who had to go. I’ll be honest tho, most of us ended up being wrong on this particular subject as well.

If you paid attention to Kovacevic you would know he was very consistent, improving and could do a little bit of everything. He’s not flashy like Subban, Hutson or Matheson and it’s completely fine.

I think people are either not knowledgeable enough or buys whatever the media and management is saying. I don’t mind getting the hatred for saying this.

I don’t have cable, do not watch sport news and don’t care much about what’s being told during the intermission, but whether I am working out, studying, trading and doing whatever, there is always a hockey game on. My place is like a sports bar in that sense.
Which means I see a lot of hockey.

 

[vokiel]

Slaf doesn't know how to use his size advantage -- he turns his body awkwardly when fighting for pucks such that even smaller players can get around him.

This part of the game can be taught. Slaf needs a mentor.

I saw the same: Lost battles against Pageau and other less imposing players.

He's just not coached properly.

 

[HuGort]

This is also a roster that greatly limit the opportunity for kids to push themselves into the lineup. Only Armia and potentially Evans' (who I would try to keep) spot (and 13th forward I guess) get freed next year and you have Demidov, Beck, Tuch, Kapanen and Roy that should be pushing hard to make the team.

If the team is spending assets, it should be on guys age 20-28 that will be there and still good when the window open.

Would you trade for Cozens?

 

[BozoTheClown]

The funny thing with Kova is most of the people pumping his tire big time are the same calling all our prospects flop and also doubt Hutson as a potential number 1. So basically they flop our 20-21 years old prospects but consider Kova a grade A+ acquisition for the Devils while not a single NHL GM accepted to pay more than a 4th for him last summer while he was 27 years old. But obviously they know better ... Now i'm not advocating waiting for our prospects top be 27 before giving up on them but maybe just maybe waiting until they are 23 ....

How old were Petry and Matheson when they broke out?
29 and 27 years old.
Some guys are late bloomer and there is nothing wrong with this, that’s life.

Only dumb ass would not see the talent Hutson had even if it was 2 games last year.

Let’s be honest here, I have heard for the last 20 years that Montreal has one of the best if not the best prospects pool. Where are the Stanley cups to back those claims?


Yeah some of us can see something in players.
What if HUGO got screwed in this trade? Is it not possible?

 

[Sterling Archer]

Kovacevic would replace Savard next year. Matheson and Savard aren’t the answer to our future, but here we are playing Matheson 25 minutes and I am hearing talks about resigning Savard.
Complete stupidity.

So again, is Kovacevic really the shit down top RHD the Habs need to anchor their D? The answer is f*** no, and that’s what they need.

Why spend all this time and energy lining over a non event player? They need a top end RHD to anchor their D, not Jonathan f***ing Kovacevic. Think bigger.