HF Habs: Trade Proposal Thread #91: 2025 Trade Deadline edition

[Boss Man Hughes]

middle 6 winger, probably average around 50 pts in his prime.

IMO he is at least a 2nd liner with 60+ pt potential if he can stay healthy.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Wouldn't say Hage is untouchable but if he was the main piece for a real top 6 center whos around 22-26 and gets 55+ points a season, you pull the trigger.

The only untouchable prospect or picks we have is Demidov. The rest can be and should be traded for a core piece was available. Waiting is good but we could wait 2-3 years to even see Hage in the NHL and perhaps in a top 6 role

I disagree. Anyway, I don't think it'll happen simply because it runs contrary to Hughes's philosophy.

People are so desperate for a winning team that they're putting the cart in front of the horses. We haven't collected that many prime assets and if we do this, we run the risk of being short on those once it's time to make a real splash to turn the team into a contender, rather than a playoff team. Hugo do not want to press hard to become a playoff team. They're in it for a solid build that will be contenders and will last. What you are suggesting would likely become an impedement for long term building.

The course of action dictated by HuGo's philosophy would be to trade secondary prospects or picks, which we have a boatload of, to get either a Laine/Monahan type deal, or an undervalued stopgap, or simply try to sign one to not lose any prime assets, or assets at all. It's the same reason he won't trade Reinbacher to accelerate our access to a RD. He could've done so last summer when the need for a RD was already pressing, but didn't.

I repeat, we have very few prime assets aside from future 1st picks. If we trade one, it won't be for a 2C, but in a package for something more significant. I'm sorry to say this, but wanting to trade prime assets for a 2C is thinking small and shortsighted. I would personally only entertain trading our three biggest pieces (either Demi, Hage or Rein) in a package for a bonafide 1C or 1RD (of proper age and all other caveats).

 

[HomaridII]

Ideally need a lefty shooting power based C to complement Suzuki’s acumen in the mold of a Horvat - 25-28 age bracket

that's a very very very very small list lol

 

[salbutera]

that's a very very very very small list lol

Yup…Unfortunately… PLD would look good right about now

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Make my wish and trade mardeson, i won't be able to see his dumb play 1 more year

 

[Apfel Struble]

I would love to sign Mathieu Olivier as a UFA this summer. Very tough player, great fighter. He'd help reduce the load for Xhekaj and would shore up the 4th line now that Evans stays

 

[salbutera]

I would love to sign Mathieu Olivier as a UFA this summer. Very tough player, great fighter. He'd help reduce the load for Xhekaj and would shore up the 4th line now that Evans stays

Waddell said this week they should have a new deal (extension) in place shortly

Make my wish and trade mardeson, i won't be able to see his dumb play 1 more year

Not happening by Friday

 

[Rapala]

Decisions have to be made and I hope it involves finding a true 2C. I would like to see us make room for Kapanen and Beck full time next year.

If a team moves a proven high end center they will more than likely want a quality center coming back.
Therefore I only see three possible outcomes before next season.

1) HuGo determines that the addition of Demidov is enough talent to give us a competitive 2nd line.
2) HuGo decides that we need to trade for a stop gap while our current assets mature.
3) HiGo are willing to part with an asset that has shown they have NHL potential Upside.

For some reason I don't see UFA as being an option at this time. I actually see door number 2 as the best possible outcome for our team which is why I have some hope that a good fit can be found before TDL.

The bolded is why I feel this way. Are we ready to part with one of Beck??? Kapanen??? Hage??? because that will almost certainly be part of a package for a high end long term solution.

 

[Apfel Struble]

Waddell said this week they should have a new deal (extension) in place shortly

Bummer. Oh well, would have loved him

 

[salbutera]

Bummer. Oh well, would have loved him

Et voila

 

[Ezpz]

Since Buffalo are mentally broken I'd try and see if Tage Thompson is a possibility. We have enough assets to kickstart their rebuild of a rebuild of a rebuild.

 

[salbutera]

Since Buffalo are mentally broken I'd try and see if Tage Thompson is a possibility. We have enough assets to kickstart their rebuild of a rebuild of a rebuild.

Why would Buf do that when their GM has said they want a proven star and not future assets?

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

There goes Olivier, 3Mx6 with CBJ

Win for Lecavalier and Quartexx

Vinny probably told his brother the Habs couldn’t match that offer

 

[Apfel Struble]

Et voila

That's rich damn, he got the bag. Right as I commented too. Guess that's my cue to stop talking about UFAs I like since they immediately sign lol

 

[TheBuriedHab]

would they want him ? hes been pretty bad this year clearly lost a step dont even think a GM would offer a 2nd for him

The RHD market is non existant. There is big interest in Savard.

 

[TheArch]

Would you trade Hutson straight up for a 2C - say, Byfield?

Never. You have basically 60C that are 2C or better. Hutson, rookie year, is already top 10 point producers. He's a superstar, you keep.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Hage is going nowhere. Hughes can dangle some other piece if he needs a deal done for a 2C. Some of the stuff being bandied about in here deserves to be tariffed.

Hughes had to work hard to move up in the draft to secure getting Hage and we’ve had gaping holes at the centre position for decades and now we’re just going to fake-dangle him?

You have to be careful about opinions so freely expressed here. I suspect that those here who express a willingness to trade Hage probably haven't watched this kid play other than watching highlight snippets. I have had the chance to watch a fair amount of Hage's play and would repeat my assessment that this kid reminds me of a young Mogilny. Unless the return is huge, you never trade that level of potential. Never.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

If Armia goes to Dallas it's for a pick and maybe a guy like Blumel to help Laval.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Hage is going nowhere. Hughes can dangle some other piece if he needs a deal done for a 2C. Some of the stuff being bandied about in here deserves to be tariffed.

Hughes had to work hard to move up in the draft to secure getting Hage and we’ve had gaping holes at the centre position for decades and now we’re just going to fake-dangle him?

'deserve to be tarrified' you made me laugh real hard. Thanks. And yes, indeed.

 

[SisuHabsSisu]

Never. You have basically 60C that are 2C or better. Hutson, rookie year, is already top 10 point producers. He's a superstar, you keep.

Agree about Huston but disagree that there are 60 2Cs in the league. Given that true 2Cs are unlikely playing on the 3rd line or on the wing, that would mean that just about every team in the league has one. And more than a few don’t.

 

[waitin425]

If a team moves a proven high end center they will more than likely want a quality center coming back.
Therefore I only see three possible outcomes before next season.

1) HuGo determines that the addition of Demidov is enough talent to give us a competitive 2nd line.
2) HuGo decides that we need to trade for a stop gap while our current assets mature.
3) HiGo are willing to part with an asset that has shown they have NHL potential Upside.

For some reason I don't see UFA as being an option at this time. I actually see door number 2 as the best possible outcome for our team which is why I have some hope that a good fit can be found before TDL.

The bolded is why I feel this way. Are we ready to part with one of Beck??? Kapanen??? Hage??? because that will be certainly be part of the cost for a high end long term solution.

While UFA is not a likely option, it is by far the best possible outcome IMO, as it allows us to retain all of our assets for strengthening other areas.

If we signed a stop gap UFA (say Tavares at 3-4 years at varying AAV), he would be a perfect stop gap for the arrival of Hage. That makes one of Dach, Newhook or Beck expendable for an upgrade at RD. Preferably Dach or Newhook for me, as we control Beck for much longer.

Let me just play this out in my head a little.

Offseason

Trade Dach + Jayden Struble for Simon Nemec

Free Agent Frenzy

Sign John Tavares for 3 years x 7 million or 4 years x 6.5 million
(we have Tavares for age 35, 36, 37 and possibly 38)


2025/26 starting lineup

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Heinemen - Tavares - Demidov
Laine - Beck - Newhook
Anderson - Evans - Gally
Kapanen

Guhle - Matheson
Hutson - Reinbacher
Xhekaj - Carrier
Nemec

As Nemec or Reinbacher elevate their game - we can consider moving off from Matheson or dropping Xhekaj to 7th and pairing Matheson with Carrier.

Future assets

Hage
Mailloux
Konyushkov
Habs 2025 1st
Flames 2025 1st

We draft BPA for both picks to stock some of the cupboards as we will have graduated Demi, Beck, Kap, Rein and Nemec.

Hage moves into lineup when he is ready and we make some decisions about where he is placed and who gets moved around or traded at that time.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

While UFA is not a likely option, it is by far the best possible outcome IMO, as it allows us to retain all of our assets for strengthening other areas.

If we signed a stop gap UFA (say Tavares at 3-4 years at varying AAV), he would be a perfect stop gap for the arrival of Hage. That makes one of Dach, Newhook or Beck expendable for an upgrade at RD. Preferably Dach or Newhook for me, as we control Beck for much longer.

Let me just play this out in my head a little.

Offseason

Trade Dach + Jayden Struble for Simon Nemec

Free Agent Frenzy

Sign John Tavares for 3 years x 7 million or 4 years x 6.5 million
(we have Tavares for age 35, 36, 37 and possibly 38)


2025/26 starting lineup

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Heinemen - Tavares - Demidov
Laine - Beck - Newhook
Anderson - Evans - Gally
Kapanen

Guhle - Matheson
Hutson - Reinbacher
Xhekaj - Carrier
Nemec

As Nemec or Reinbacher elevate their game - we can consider moving off from Matheson or dropping Xhekaj to 7th and pairing Matheson with Carrier.

Future assets

Hage
Mailloux
Konyushkov
Habs 2025 1st
Flames 2025 1st

We draft BPA for both picks to stock some of the cupboards as we will have graduated Demi, Beck, Kap, Rein and Nemec.

Hage moves into lineup when he is ready and we make some decisions about where he is placed and who gets moved around or traded at that time.

If you were new jersey would you trade Nemec for Dach, who's offen injured and isnt very good and number 6/7 dman ?

Cause if you would, can I trade you 20 bucks for 50 ?

 

[le_sean]

Hage is more than a 21st overall pick at this point. He'd go higher in a redraft given his excellent D+1.

We’ve seen Newhook do just as well in the NCAA as a freshman. I’m not taking it for granted.

 

[sampollock]

Et voila

proves my point

fans cant count on UFA's so much 95% they sign and are not there

 

[waitin425]

If you were new jersey would you trade Nemec for Dach, who's offen injured and isnt very good and number 6/7 dman ?

Cause if you would, can I trade you 20 bucks for 50 ?

If I was Jersey - not in a million years would I do this. This is more a though experiment than anything for me. Sub Newhook for Dach. Or even Beck. My point is more that if we can sign that legit 2C stopgap for Hage, then we have flexibility to move Newhook, Dach or Beck for a legit current/future top 4RD.

There are a million and one potential deals that could be made under those circumstances and for those players.