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

[Captain Mountain]

I don't see how any of that is related to putting Laine on LTIR instead of Price.

Unless i'm missing something, the only option it opens is the option to trade Price.

If Montreal makes other trades (not just Price) which clears cap before Laine is good to go or suffers other injuries and eventually clear cap, they can finish the season not in LTIR and accrue capspace - meaning they won't have the kind of bonus overages they've had the past few seasons.

It was also easier to maximize LTIR room by putting Laine on LTIR because of his cap hit.

 

[Deus ex machina]

If Montreal makes other trades (not just Price) which clears cap before Laine is good to go or suffers other injuries and eventually clear cap, they can finish the season not in LTIR and accrue capspace - meaning they won't have the kind of bonus overages they've had the past few seasons.

It was also easier to maximize LTIR room by putting Laine on LTIR because of his cap hit.

I'm not sure about your last point but i think the other one makes sense.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

With Florida now putting big money (and years) into Verhaeghe, Tkachuk, Barkov, Lundell and Reinhart up front, I wonder if the Habs could grab Sam Bennett as a UFA in the summer?

Assuming that David Savard, Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia are all moved out on or before the trade deadline, and Bennett hasn’t re-signed in Florida, I’d be willing to offer him a significant deal to come north to play for the Habs.

I think he’d be the perfect 2nd line center behind Suzuki, and he’d add a much needed injection of nastiness with his ability to score.
I’d be willing to offer him close to the Suzuki deal, 8 years x 7.0 million. This would move Dach over to the wing, and give the Habs a legit cup contender lineup (in my opinion).

Laine - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Caufield - Bennett - Dach
Demidov - Newhook - Anderson
Tuch - Kapanen - Gallagher

Matheson - Guhle
Hutson - ____
Xhekaj - Struble

Something along those lines anyway.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

With Florida now putting big money (and years) into Verhaeghe, Tkachuk, Barkov, Lundell and Reinhart up front, I wonder if the Habs could grab Sam Bennett as a UFA in the summer?

Assuming that David Savard, Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia are all moved out on or before the trade deadline, and Bennett hasn’t re-signed in Florida, I’d be willing to offer him a significant deal to come north to play for the Habs.

I think he’d be the perfect 2nd line center behind Suzuki, and he’d add a much needed injection of nastiness with his ability to score.
I’d be willing to offer him close to the Suzuki deal, 8 years x 7.0 million. This would move Dach over to the wing, and give the Habs a legit cup contender lineup (in my opinion).

Laine - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Caufield - Bennett - Dach
Demidov - Newhook - Anderson
Tuch - Kapanen - Gallagher

Matheson - Guhle
Hutson - ____
Xhekaj - Struble

Something along those lines anyway.

Cats have Ekblad and Bennett ad the big ufas.

Florida can offer him more, another year, a core that has already won and a nice place to live (for the most part)

If he decides to leave Florida, Montreal then needs to offer a better package than a lot of other teams.

So, in short it's a possibility, but given this team it's unlikely.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

Cats have Ekblad and Bennett ad the big ufas.

Florida can offer him more, another year, a core that has already won and a nice place to live (for the most part)

If he decides to leave Florida, Montreal then needs to offer a better package than a lot of other teams.

So, in short it's a possibility, but given this team it's unlikely.

Sure, I understand what you’re saying, but I feel like Florida will prioritize Ekblad over Bennett, simply because they don’t have nearly as much depth at right defense.

Plus they already have Lundell who seems to be poised to take over the second center position.

All things being equal, IF Bennett hits the market as a UFA, I think the Habs will make a significant offer. And I think he’s exactly what they’d need in a second line center.

Will it happen? Probably not, but with the Habs having a ton of cap space, and Hughes finally able to spend some cash? Anything is possible.

 

[Sterling Archer]

Sure, I understand what you’re saying, but I feel like Florida will prioritize Ekblad over Bennett, simply because they don’t have nearly as much depth at right defense.

Plus they already have Lundell who seems to be poised to take over the second center position.

All things being equal, IF Bennett hits the market as a UFA, I think the Habs will make a significant offer. And I think he’s exactly what they’d need in a second line center.

Will it happen? Probably not, but with the Habs having a ton of cap space, and Hughes finally able to spend some cash? Anything is possible.

Weren’t there rumours last year that Fla was open/looking to trade Ekblad?

Ekblad isn’t the player he used to be and is slowing down dramatically. Certainly not a no. 1 D at this point even though he’s only 28. Not sure if it’s lingering injuries or just a lot of miles on his body but depending on what he’s asking for, it sure they’d resign him at no. 1 D price.

Bennett is a very different player and would be a lot cheaper. Great all around, rough and tumble guy but not a top tier player. Wish Anderson would play like him.

 

[The Great Weal]

Bennett would be an awesome add, just not sure if he'd appreciate not getting guaranteed top 6 C time with Suzuki/Dach on the team. I'd still pay him handsomely even if he's on the 3rd line.

The guy my delusional self has eyes on is Noah Dobson.

 

[Intangir]

Bennett would be an awesome add, just not sure if he'd appreciate not getting guaranteed top 6 C time with Suzuki/Dach on the team. I'd still pay him handsomely even if he's on the 3rd line.

The guy my delusional self has eyes on is Noah Dobson.

Delusion is the right word unfortunately.

The Islanders will give Dobson a 7-figure salary for 8 years, and he'll sign there barring a catastrophic falling-out with the team.

And even if he made it to UFA, as a talented right-shot D he'd get substantial offers from a crapton of teams so chances that he'd sign with us in particular would be very low.

I actually think that, unless we get a really, really good player to look our way come July 1st 2025, we should not sign anybody yet and stay the course one more year after that.

In July 2026 our young guys will have had a couple of years to develop, Price will be off the books, and both Gallagher and Anderson will have much more palatable buy-outs.

In short, I just think that we should target July 2026 for when we should start looking more intently at FAs. Next year is a smidge too soon in my opinion unless the "right" player is available.

 

[The Great Weal]

Delusion is the right word unfortunately.

The Islanders will give Dobson a 7-figure salary for 8 years, and he'll sign there barring a catastrophic falling-out with the team.

And even if he made it to UFA, as a talented right-shot D he'd get substantial offers from a crapton of teams so chances that he'd sign with us in particular would be very low.

I actually think that, unless we get a really, really good player to look our way come July 1st 2025, we should not sign anybody yet and stay the course one more year after that.

In July 2026 our young guys will have had a couple of years to develop, Price will be off the books, and both Gallagher and Anderson will have much more palatable buy-outs.

In short, I just think that we should target July 2026 for when we should start looking more intently at FAs. Next year is a smidge too soon in my opinion unless the "right" player is available.

The only chance it happens is if he wants out because the Isles are going nowhere.

I don't think we should wait until 2026. You bite the bulled with the buyouts this offseason. Teams needs to add actual good players, we have a ton of assets and cap space.

 

[HuGort]

Looking couple years ahead, nothing like putting cart before horse. But if Monty has big season his trade value could go sky high. Given his contract. Dobes in system and Fowler be here early spring.

 

[Egresch]

Delusion is the right word unfortunately.

The Islanders will give Dobson a 7-figure salary for 8 years, and he'll sign there barring a catastrophic falling-out with the team.

I think we might focus to Devils if we are looking for RHD. They have Hamilton, just signed Pesce, Nemec, Casey and Kovacevic. L. Hughes, Dillon and Siegenthaler on left side and Silyaev in the pipeline. Specifically, Nemec has 2 more years of ELC and he is not really geting opportunities he would like. He will remain 3D behind Hamilton and Pesce. No chance to play PP as they prefer Hamilton and Hughes. He had always been PP QB in whole his career. We will see what his position is in 2 years.

 

[BaseballCoach]

The only chance it happens is if he wants out because the Isles are going nowhere.

I don't think we should wait until 2026. You bite the bulled with the buyouts this offseason. Teams needs to add actual good players, we have a ton of assets and cap space.

No need for buyouts. We have six expiring contracts to be replaced by four young guys and two stars. There is $18M available for the two stars, even with Gally and Andy on the books.

 

[Vachon23]

Dobson isn’t going anywhere

We miss our shot on him in 2018

 

[Leto]

The only chance it happens is if he wants out because the Isles are going nowhere.

I don't think we should wait until 2026. You bite the bulled with the buyouts this offseason. Teams needs to add actual good players, we have a ton of assets and cap space.

Unless we win the Hagens lottery and NYI's hockey ops is thirsty for a homegrown star. But yeah, it's a pipe dream.​

 

[waitin425]

With Florida now putting big money (and years) into Verhaeghe, Tkachuk, Barkov, Lundell and Reinhart up front, I wonder if the Habs could grab Sam Bennett as a UFA in the summer?

Assuming that David Savard, Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia are all moved out on or before the trade deadline, and Bennett hasn’t re-signed in Florida, I’d be willing to offer him a significant deal to come north to play for the Habs.

I think he’d be the perfect 2nd line center behind Suzuki, and he’d add a much needed injection of nastiness with his ability to score.
I’d be willing to offer him close to the Suzuki deal, 8 years x 7.0 million. This would move Dach over to the wing, and give the Habs a legit cup contender lineup (in my opinion).

Laine - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Caufield - Bennett - Dach
Demidov - Newhook - Anderson
Tuch - Kapanen - Gallagher

Matheson - Guhle
Hutson - ____
Xhekaj - Struble

Something along those lines anyway.

For me our top 6 is pretty set next year.....but I do like Bennett as our 3rd line centre. I'd like to keep Armia is possible. Not sure how the cap would look, but with Demi and Kapanen on ELC's, we may be able to do it. Wouldn't want to over commit on Bennett though, as Dach and eventually Demi will need new deals.

Slaf - Suzuki - Caufield
Laine - Dach - Demi
Newhook - Bennett - Armia
Tuch/Heinemen - Kapanen - Gally

 

[Benstheman]

f*** Bennett. I want Sid the kid.

 

[Mrb1p]

With Florida now putting big money (and years) into Verhaeghe, Tkachuk, Barkov, Lundell and Reinhart up front, I wonder if the Habs could grab Sam Bennett as a UFA in the summer?

Assuming that David Savard, Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia are all moved out on or before the trade deadline, and Bennett hasn’t re-signed in Florida, I’d be willing to offer him a significant deal to come north to play for the Habs.

I think he’d be the perfect 2nd line center behind Suzuki, and he’d add a much needed injection of nastiness with his ability to score.
I’d be willing to offer him close to the Suzuki deal, 8 years x 7.0 million. This would move Dach over to the wing, and give the Habs a legit cup contender lineup (in my opinion).

Laine - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Caufield - Bennett - Dach
Demidov - Newhook - Anderson
Tuch - Kapanen - Gallagher

Matheson - Guhle
Hutson - ____
Xhekaj - Struble

Something along those lines anyway.

Bennett is an integral part of their team. There is a net negative chance they move him.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Yeah, Bennett is a key part of the Panthers at this point, I don't see them letting him go. They'll make space and lock him up longterm as well.

 

[Rapala]

For me our top 6 is pretty set next year.....but I do like Bennett as our 3rd line centre. I'd like to keep Armia is possible. Not sure how the cap would look, but with Demi and Kapanen on ELC's, we may be able to do it. Wouldn't want to over commit on Bennett though, as Dach and eventually Demi will need new deals.

Slaf - Suzuki - Caufield
Laine - Dach - Demi
Newhook - Bennett - Armia
Tuch/Heinemen - Kapanen - Gally

Sam Bennett will not sign anywhere for a third line role.
Ain't gonna happen.

 

[waitin425]

Sam Bennett will not sign anywhere for a third line role.
Ain't gonna happen.

So be it. not sure who he bump long term from our top 6 unless someone sides or we don't pai Laine in 2 years.

 

[Habs]

Canucks are still running their backup goalie from last year they will need someone and will pay a price for it. I could see Primeau getting a good value

 

[Rapala]

So be it. not sure who he bump long term from our top 6 unless someone sides or we don't pai Laine in 2 years.

As a center Dach could become a winger and we'd be a stronger team.

 

[The Great Weal]

No need for buyouts. We have six expiring contracts to be replaced by four young guys and two stars. There is $18M available for the two stars, even with Gally and Andy on the books.

The buyouts are more about the roster space and having good players replace them.

 

[waitin425]

As a center Dach could become a winger and we'd be a stronger team.

Who from Dach, Laine and Demi would be long term third liner?

Would Bennett be instead of one of them on 2nd line?

I don't see why he couldn't be on the third line, other than he wouldnt sign here playing there.

He's actually pretty comparable to Gally, when we signed his current deal. He has averaged around 50 points per 82 game pace. Slightly less than what Gally did. Plays a similar game to Gally.

I actually would be a little uncomfortable with 7 mil. How about 7 years x 6 mil. Play third line centre with Newhook and Armia on your wing. Create chaos.

If not...then no thanks for me.

 

[Rapala]

Who from Dach, Laine and Demi would be long term third liner?

Would Bennett be instead of one of them on 2nd line?

I don't see why he couldn't be on the third line, other than he wouldnt sign here playing there.

He's actually pretty comparable to Gally, when we signed his current deal. He has averaged around 50 points per 82 game pace. Slightly less than what Gally did. Plays a similar game to Gally.

I actually would be a little uncomfortable with 7 mil. How about 7 years x 6 mil. Play third line centre with Newhook and Armia on your wing. Create chaos.

If not...then no thanks for me.

Laine is still a long shot to be a permanent solution and Bennett is never going to be a Hab so the point is moot.
If however you had a sure thing with a healthy Laine you'd be looking at a very hard decision.
Laine is a first line player and a healthy Laine is definitely better than Cole Caufield.
So the question would be what do you do with Caufield.