HF Habs: Trade Proposal Thread #92: Waiting on the Draft edition

[Miller Time]

They called this summer the most important one. Considering that, it would quite the disappointment if that roster is the one that starts next season. The team could have made the playoffs this year with a few tweaks. They need to carry that momentum next year by adding, not stagnating.

Agree... Though "most important" also implies from the pov of roster/cap management.

Worst thing they could do is bet the farm on a sub-par option, or pay a bloated premium to win the UFA race in a market inflated by major cap increase summer, only to end up with 10-14M$ tied up long term in a player that doesn't move the needle for the group.

It's a really interesting situation they are in, how well they execute this summer may well end up being the defining moment of KH's tenure (pushing them toward the long term contender vision they've mapped out or derailing things & sputtering until an inevitable change in leadership).

 

[Deebs]

Just throwing this out there from way out in right field….. we still go shopping for our long term #2 center this summer but…. We also bring in Jonathan Toews for a trial run to maybe fit in our bottom 6. PTO

 

[Runner77]

To many picks, to many guys
Time for KH to make a huge move

Getting the right evaluation on existing assets is just as critical as getting future picks right. For instance, should Beck be kept over Kapanen or would it be a better option to keep both? I’d like to see both on the NHL roster over a full season and then arrive at a decision.

Excess picks can be packaged, there are always teams who have gutted their picks chasing a playoff window and who are now in a different phase and need to restock. Those picks would be very valuable to them.

 

[ReHabs]

it's like you didn't even read the post and used it as a springboard to rehash the same complain you've already written a thousand times.

What the heck are you talking about

I responded to the roster. You ignore the possibility of waivers and buyouts (which is fair enough) but there’s no way having a bunch of bums means the Habs GM cannot manage to participate in free agency. It would be maximally pathetic if they shrug their shoulders and say 25pt bums like Anderson and Newhook prevented them from upgrading the roster.

 

[TomKosto]

Well Gustav Forsling was placed on waivers by Van…key element to Fla winning Cup last year.

MSL undrafted, released by Cgy…ended up HOFer

It’s not as if Kovacevic was playing Norris caliber D and the Habs gave him away for a 4th… he was a 7th D on this team

It’s not cause other make dumb evaluations that we have to do it too. Coulda get a first for FatDavy last year and kept Kovacevic. I understand that no DG can be perfect but we can point out the mistakes. IMO both Dach and Newhook trades were and the Kova trade too.

 

[ReHabs]

Getting the right evaluation on existing assets is just as critical as getting future picks right. For instance, should Beck be kept over Kapanen or would it be a better option to keep both? I’d like to see both on the NHL roster over a full season and then arrive at a decision.

If it is a case of cutting-loose, I think the right move is to retain those who haven’t been given a chance and release the ones who have not captured the opportunity (Newhook, Dach, Anderson, etc).

If it is a case of trading away in a package, well I hope he makes the right call.

Excess picks can be packaged, there are always teams who have gutted their picks chasing a playoff window and who are now in a different phase and need to restock. Those picks would be very valuable to them.

Good point

 

[Chili]

Just throwing this out there from way out in right field….. we still go shopping for our long term #2 center this summer but…. We also bring in Jonathan Toews for a trial run to maybe fit in our bottom 6. PTO

Would definitely reach out to him to see if he had interest in joining the Habs. He`ll probably have a number of options though. Someone will probably offer him a contract, his leadership qualities alone are valuable.

 

[ReHabs]

They called this summer the most important one. Considering that, it would quite the disappointment if that roster is the one that starts next season. The team could have made the playoffs this year with a few tweaks. They need to carry that momentum next year by adding, not stagnating.

Yeah that’s what I’m saying — if Hughes shrugs his shoulders and says he has too many contract commitments so he can’t add much… well… screw him, then!

He has to make room and that includes waiving veterans or paying picks to dump them. I’m not sure why Andy had to get worked up over it but I’m sure he has his reasons.

 

[ML16]

12 Labours of Hughes for the offseason

1. Sign Demidov to ELC (Habs’ top-6)
2. Sign Fowler to ELC (Rocket’s G1)
3. Trade for a 2C* (preferably LHC)
4. Trade for a top-4 RHD*
5. Trade to climb up in the draft whenever possible (Quality over quantity)
6. Trade some 2025 mid-round picks for 2026/2027 picks
7. Draft BPAs
8. Sign RFAs : Heineman (1.75M x 3 years) ; Dobes (1.35M x 2 years) and Struble (1.25M x 2 years)
9. Trade Laine @ 50%
10. Trade Matheson (@ 50%, if need be)
11. Trade Gallagher @ 50%
12. Sign Armia @ 2.15M x 2 years

* Trade assets : MTL/CGY 2025 1st ; PIT/MTL’s 2025 2nd ; CLB/MTL’s 2026 2nd ; Mailloux ; Kapanen/Beck ; Roy ; Matheson (@ 50%) ; Laine @ 50% ; Gallagher @ 50%

Caufield - Suzuki - Demidov
Slafkovski - LHC - Dach
Newhook - Evans - Anderson
Heineman - Beck/Kapanen - Armia
(Roy, F. Xhekaj, Davidson, Tuch)

Guhle - RHD
Hutson - Carrier
A. Xhekaj - Reinbacher
Struble
(Engstrom)

Montembault
Dobes
(Fowler)

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

12 Labours of Hughes for the offseason

1. Sign Demidov to ELC (Habs’ top-6)
2. Sign Fowler to ELC (Rocket’s G1)
3. Trade for a 2C* (preferably LHC)
4. Trade for a top-4 RHD*
5. Trade to climb up in the draft whenever possible (Quality over quantity)
6. Trade some 2025 mid-round picks for 2026/2027 picks
7. Draft BPAs
8. Sign RFAs : Heineman (1.75M x 3 years) ; Dobes (1.35M x 2 years) and Struble (1.25M x 2 years)
9. Trade Laine @ 50%
10. Trade Matheson (@ 50%, if need be)
11. Trade Gallagher @ 50%
12. Sign Armia @ 2.15M x 2 years

* Trade assets : MTL/CGY 2025 1st ; PIT/MTL’s 2025 2nd ; CLB/MTL’s 2026 2nd ; Mailloux ; Kapanen/Beck ; Roy ; Matheson (@ 50%) ; Laine @ 50% ; Gallagher @ 50%

Caufield - Suzuki - Demidov
Slafkovski - LHC - Dach
Newhook - Evans - Anderson
Heineman - Beck/Kapanen - Armia
(Roy, F. Xhekaj, Davidson, Tuch)

Guhle - RHD
Hutson - Carrier
A. Xhekaj - Reinbacher
Struble
(Engstrom)

Montembault
Dobes
(Fowler)

You forgot one of the most important items:

-Re-sign Hutson to a 8 year deal.

Switch it for Laine. Trading Laine should be done close to TDL as he'll garner more value there and would give him time to upgrade his game and value by playing with Demidov. We don't need his cap space, so there's no urgency.

 

[Runner77]

Switch it for Laine. Trading Laine should be done close to TDL as he'll garner more value there and would give him time to upgrade his game and value by playing with Demidov. We don't need his cap space, so there's no ergency.

We’re seeing how unpredictable it is to roster a player like Laine who is still being held back with health issues. He may not ever be able to play anything close to a full NHL schedule (last time he played 82 games was in 2017-18).

Agreed, perfect candidate to move at next season’s trading deadline.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

IMO one of Anderson/Gallagher has to bought out if they can't be moved.

 

[Ezpz]

So would anyone toss one of our good prospects (Hage, Fowler, whoever) or a very good player(Hutson, Guhle, etc) for Dahlin?

Or does him potentially quitting on Buffalo indicate he's not a winner or game changer? Even now as I look at their roster I don't see how it's possible for them to finish bottom 3. They are not lacking in nearly any area. Even in goal differential they're ahead of every other non-playoff team in the East except the Rags and Isles, whose rosters are constructed around elite goalies. That's enough to say it's just bad luck but still.

I just hope we've got some trade lined up this summer. I don't want to sit in the lukewarm zone when we're not good enough to make a dent and also not bad enough to get a good pick. Get the 2C or get a top pairing D to compliment the rest of what we have. Matheson's not long-term core despite his importance right now. I am not confident at all in Mailloux to become a regular, and Reinbacher is more of a long-term Carrier replacement, who also isn't going to be here for an extremely long time. RB also needs years of seasoning to become what he will be in the future.

Dust is starting to settle on a few of these drafts we had high expectations for with many underachieving prospects.

 

[ML16]

You forgot one of the most important items:

-Re-sign Hutson to a 8 year deal.

Switch it for Laine. Trading Laine should be done close to TDL as he'll garner more value there and would give him time to upgrade his game and value by playing with Demidov. We don't need his cap space, so there's no ergency.

Sold! Hutson should definitely have been #2, if not #1, on my list!

As for trading Laine with retention, it’s not so much cap space-related but rather roster-related; he’s simply not a fit in Montreal and retention would be required to move him, unless he’s somehow salary-dumped to a bottom-feeder needing to reach cap floor.

Basically, I think a prefer trying to rebuild Dach’s value as a top-6 winger rather than gambling on Laine’s resurgence in the same position.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

Interested to see what Florida does this offseason given they don't have a ton of cap space and have Bennett a UFA, Samoskevich needing a raise, need to sign Ekblad or get a top 4 RHD to replace him and if they re-sign Marchand or not.

If they re-sign Bennett and need cap space Anton Lundell would be a perfect #2 C to go after who would help on the defensively side while also having some untapped offensive potential.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Sold! Hutson should definitely have been #2, if not #1, on my list!

As for trading Laine with retention, it’s not so much cap space-related but rather roster-related; he’s simply not a fit in Montreal and retention would be required to move him, unless he’s somehow salary-dumped to a bottom-feeder needing to reach cap floor.

Basically, I think a prefer trying to rebuild Dach’s value as a top-6 winger rather than gambling on Laine’s resurgence in the same position.

Agree to disagree on Laine.

The odds of fixing all problems are very low. Very unlikely we get both a top 4 RD and a 2LC, if any of the two.

Upgrading Laine's value would pay more than Dach.

 

[Benstheman]

IMO one of Anderson/Gallagher has to bought out if they can't be moved.

Absolutely no need to buy them out. Unless you think we can sign 2-3 big UFAs.

 

[Benstheman]

Interested to see what Florida does this offseason given they don't have a ton of cap space and have Bennett a UFA, Samoskevich needing a raise, need to sign Ekblad or get a top 4 RHD to replace him and if they re-sign Marchand or not.

If they re-sign Bennett and need cap space Anton Lundell would be a perfect #2 C to go after who would help on the defensively side while also having some untapped offensive potential.

Absolute yes.

If they extend Bennett, they have to trade him or Luostarinen. I would give a solid package for Lundell.

 

[Sorinth]

So would anyone toss one of our good prospects (Hage, Fowler, whoever) or a very good player(Hutson, Guhle, etc) for Dahlin?

Or does him potentially quitting on Buffalo indicate he's not a winner or game changer? Even now as I look at their roster I don't see how it's possible for them to finish bottom 3. They are not lacking in nearly any area. Even in goal differential they're ahead of every other non-playoff team in the East except the Rags and Isles, whose rosters are constructed around elite goalies. That's enough to say it's just bad luck but still.

I just hope we've got some trade lined up this summer. I don't want to sit in the lukewarm zone when we're not good enough to make a dent and also not bad enough to get a good pick. Get the 2C or get a top pairing D to compliment the rest of what we have. Matheson's not long-term core despite his importance right now. I am not confident at all in Mailloux to become a regular, and Reinbacher is more of a long-term Carrier replacement, who also isn't going to be here for an extremely long time. RB also needs years of seasoning to become what he will be in the future.

Dust is starting to settle on a few of these drafts we had high expectations for with many underachieving prospects.

If you can get Dahlin for a somewhat reasonable price it's hard to say no to that, but he's not the best fit for us.

I think everyone agrees that Hughes should try to make a big splash this summer and add a big name, but he does have to be careful because making a mistake and going big and it not working out is probably worse then doing nothing/something small.

Keep in mind even if we do nothing it's not like we aren't adding. For all intents and purposes we are adding a 70 point winger in Demidov while doing "nothing".

 

[McGees]

Switch it for Laine. Trading Laine should be done close to TDL as he'll garner more value there and would give him time to upgrade his game and value by playing with Demidov. We don't need his cap space, so there's no urgency.

They wouldn't even trade Savard this deadline, they aren't going to sell anyone next deadline as they are sure to be closer to a playoff spot then. If they want to ditch him, it will be this summer but they're probably stuck with him tbh.

 

[Runner77]

IMO one of Anderson/Gallagher has to bought out if they can't be moved.

Both have 2 years left on their contracts after this season. If only one is kept, I’d go for the 30-year old who brings speed, size, physicality, who is pretty durable and who seems to have found a niche, over the 35 year old.

Gallagher may still hold some appeal as a poor man’s Marchand. Might be unloadable next season at the trading deadline, for a 3rd or 4th rounder with some retention instead of buying him out.

 

[themilosh]

Yea

Doubt Yzerman is thinking of blowing it up tho

He may have to if they miss the playoffs again.. Larkin is the older statesman who will be first to go.

Theyre going to need build around their young guns- Raymond, Seider, Axell, etc..

Personally Larkin (like Suzuki) is not dynamic enough to lead a team to a SC.. but a combo of Larkin/Suzuki at top 6 Cs would be formidable to play against.

 

[themilosh]

Well Gustav Forsling was placed on waivers by Van…key element to Fla winning Cup last year.

MSL undrafted, released by Cgy…ended up HOFer

It’s not as if Kovacevic was playing Norris caliber D and the Habs gave him away for a 4th… he was a 7th D on this team

But he was RHD.. so really it came down to which Vet could protect the roost until Reinbacher was ready.. it's also entirely possible NJ had no interest in Savard.. so it is what it is..

In negotiations, sometimes losing a couple of trades, makes you easier to deal with... the key is to "lose" on the smaller trades and "win" big (if possible) on the blockbusters.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Absolutely no need to buy them out. Unless you think we can sign 2-3 big UFAs.

There are lots of players who might be ready: Demidov, Beck/Kapanen. Davidson, Roy. Plus any acquisitions.

 

[themilosh]

Agree... Though "most important" also implies from the pov of roster/cap management.

Worst thing they could do is bet the farm on a sub-par option, or pay a bloated premium to win the UFA race in a market inflated by major cap increase summer, only to end up with 10-14M$ tied up long term in a player that doesn't move the needle for the group.

It's a really interesting situation they are in, how well they execute this summer may well end up being the defining moment of KH's tenure (pushing them toward the long term contender vision they've mapped out or derailing things & sputtering until an inevitable change in leadership).

I think the level of NHL players have risen so much that the so-called 4th liners are in fact 3rd liners 20 years ago..
Having said that, i truly dont believe any lineup can succeed whereby one player is making $14M/yr in lieu of two players maling $7M/yr ea.

With the exception of McDavid, any salary over $10M/yr for any team, including the cap increase, is bonkers..

No player is worth more.. Colorado knew this - thats why they flogged Rantanen.. and guess what, Necas is far more valuable to their lineup. Brilliant move.