If Lou comes in and he wants Xhekaj badly and offers us Horvat for him, do you do it?
(and we could trade for Jeremy Lauzon at Nashville who is a big physical D playing on the left as well)
Do I do it? Boy do I do it! I honestly don't see how this is a question?
Whereas we gave up Romanov for a 13th OA pick in order to trade with CHI for a project with a history of injuries in Dach, we would be getting an established beast at C for the next 6 years.
As much as I like Xhekaj, it's a cheap ask for a C of Horvat's quality. Not unlike Romanov, it remains trading from a position of strength at LD since we still have Engstrom coming up with a higher overall upside than Strube and we still. have Struble as a depth option at that position.
6 remaining seasons on Horvat's contract that brings him through age 36. Likely to bring it to the table at a high level for at least four of those years, perhaps adjusting a two-way role at C or the wing on a 3rd line to end the contract once a younger 2C manifests himself (Hage, 2025 draft pick, trade acquisition, etc.)
Goals, goals goals from C - 30-goal potential (3 consecutive seasons prior to this one and trending for 27 this year). Along with Caufield, Suzuki, Laine and, maybe even Demidov next season, that's five potential 30-goal scorers on a goal-starved team since Moses parted the Red Sea.
60+ point potential in a full season, solid production level for a 2C, which I see improving next year with Demidov on his line.
Leadership qualities.
Shutdown C that can contribute even on nights off when not producing offensively.
One of the better F/O Cs in the league.
Solid skater and play driver.
Horvat is 1.5 times what Bennett would be, IMO, as an impact on the Habs' roster -- and I'm a big fan of Bennett as an option for the Habs (should he agree to sign with us, of course).
Horvat has a NTC with 16 teams to which he will not agree to be traded. Is Montreal, both a Canadian team and a rebuilding team on the list as a no-go destination?
7th heaven for me if this is the opening day roster next season, even without an improvement to the D-Corps:
Caufield - Suzuki - Laine
Slafkovsky - Horvat - Demidov
Heineman - Beck - Anderson
F. Xhekaj - Newhook - Gallagher
*Assume Dach gets traded, along with A. Xhekaj, for Horvat
Guhle - Carrier
Hutson - Matheson
Struble/Engstrom - Reinbacher
Montembeault
Dobes
Habs definitely making the playoffs.
Im 50/50 on this one.
Yes it favours The Habs in terms of value but Xhekaj brings a lot to the table for The Habs.....
Not enough to forego improving the C-line by adding Horvat.
Great return for an undrafted free agent signing. Excellent asset management.