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

[Beendair Donedat]

They’re going big game hunting this off season. They were reported to be in on Rantanen, Marner, and Cozens, but at what capacity I don’t know… Hughes and Gorton have a pretty good relationship and they both want to make a splash to take the next step.

Potential UFAs:
1) Sam Bennett. 2nd line center is our biggest hole and he solves a ton of issues. Quartexx client, and loved playing in Montreal. Easy number one choice.

2) Mikael Granlund. Doesn’t bring the physical presence or nastiness you get from Bennett but Granlund is a reliable veteran that works hard and embraced his role as a mentor to the young players in San Jose. Good vet signing for a couple years.

3) Mitch Marner. Another Quartexx client and someone who would add elite level scoring to our top 6, while also providing a high level of defense. Has played in a media fishbowl his entire life so wouldn’t be afraid of the spotlight. Immediately adds a ton of firepower to our anemic offense.

Trade targets:

1) Mavrik Bourque. The Stars are all in for the next few years, at the expense of a lot of their draft capital, something the Habs have a ton of right now… could Bourque be pried out of Dallas with some picks/prospects that Dallas will need? In the next two drafts Dallas has a total of one second round pick in 2026, and one third round pick in 2025, in the first four rounds of each draft. Two total picks in 8 rounds. I think Bourque is someone that Hughes will have on his radar and could see him dangling a prospect like Trudeau or Mailloux along with some picks. Bourque would be an immediate injection of young talent, with the potential to be a superstar.

2) Dawson Mercer. Signed to a big contract but hasn’t made the big step required to earn those elevated dollars. Still very young, he has proven he can fly, can score and plays a great two way game. Kind of stuck behind Hughes and Hischier in the center department, he’s a young guy I think would do very well playing for MSL. Habs could dangle young defender Struble as the Devils could use a physical left hand defenseman, along with some picks.

I’d be happy with Bennett, Bourque or Mercer. Bennett is obviously my top choice but how cool would it be to pick up one or more of these guys in the offseason?

 

[Treb]

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

Pezz, Dvorak and Armia free up three spots for those unless they sign FAs.

You can always make moves if prospects forces hands.

Preemptively buying out Gallagher and/or Andersen is needless and costly and will hurt the Habs contending window.

 

[vokiel]

Should we add Rohrer to the "might be ready" list ?

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Pezz, Dvorak and Armia free up three spots for those unless they sign FAs.

You can always make moves if prospects forces hands.

Preemptively buying out Gallagher and/or Andersen is needless and costly and will hurt the Habs contending window.

It wouldn't matter if the cap was going up but thanks to orange hair that is not a certainty.

 

[Benstheman]

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

I think it's more probable they trade Dach and or Newhook then retain on Anderson or Gallagher.

Demidov has is spot on the top 6.

Beck has his spot at 4C.

Kapanen can be the 13th guy for 1 season. He will still play 40-50, maybe even 60 games because of injuries.

Davidson. You don't buy out a big contract and handcuff yourself for 4 years for a guy like Davidson.

Roy... I don't know what to say. I would be really surprised if it happens. If he really forces your hand, you trade Laine or Gallagher at 50% before buying out Gallagher or Anderson.

What I want to see next season :

Slaf-Suzuki-Caufield
Demidov-2C (UFA or trade)-Laine/Roy
Heineman-Evans-Gallagher/Roy
Newhook-Beck-Anderson
Kapanen

I guess Dach stays if we can't get a 2C. If you get a 2C and decide to keep Dach for a last season to get back to form or get a bit of value in a trade, you trade Newhook.

I guess what I'm saying is there are a lot of possibilities before you have to buy out 1 or 2 players that still have a contract for 2 seasons.

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.

Yep retention is better than buy out.

 

[CHwest]

They’re going big game hunting this off season. They were reported to be in on Rantanen, Marner, and Cozens, but at what capacity I don’t know… Hughes and Gorton have a pretty good relationship and they both want to make a splash to take the next step.

Potential UFAs:
1) Sam Bennett. 2nd line center is our biggest hole and he solves a ton of issues. Quartexx client, and loved playing in Montreal. Easy number one choice.

2) Mikael Granlund. Doesn’t bring the physical presence or nastiness you get from Bennett but Granlund is a reliable veteran that works hard and embraced his role as a mentor to the young players in San Jose. Good vet signing for a couple years.

3) Mitch Marner. Another Quartexx client and someone who would add elite level scoring to our top 6, while also providing a high level of defense. Has played in a media fishbowl his entire life so wouldn’t be afraid of the spotlight. Immediately adds a ton of firepower to our anemic offense.

Trade targets:

1) Mavrik Bourque. The Stars are all in for the next few years, at the expense of a lot of their draft capital, something the Habs have a ton of right now… could Bourque be pried out of Dallas with some picks/prospects that Dallas will need? In the next two drafts Dallas has a total of one second round pick in 2026, and one third round pick in 2025, in the first four rounds of each draft. Two total picks in 8 rounds. I think Bourque is someone that Hughes will have on his radar and could see him dangling a prospect like Trudeau or Mailloux along with some picks. Bourque would be an immediate injection of young talent, with the potential to be a superstar.

2) Dawson Mercer. Signed to a big contract but hasn’t made the big step required to earn those elevated dollars. Still very young, he has proven he can fly, can score and plays a great two way game. Kind of stuck behind Hughes and Hischier in the center department, he’s a young guy I think would do very well playing for MSL. Habs could dangle young defender Struble as the Devils could use a physical left hand defenseman, along with some picks.

I’d be happy with Bennett, Bourque or Mercer. Bennett is obviously my top choice but how cool would it be to pick up one or more of these guys in the offseason?

No thanks to Marner, we have 2 tinys already.

 

[Benstheman]

They’re going big game hunting this off season. They were reported to be in on Rantanen, Marner, and Cozens, but at what capacity I don’t know… Hughes and Gorton have a pretty good relationship and they both want to make a splash to take the next step.

Potential UFAs:
1) Sam Bennett. 2nd line center is our biggest hole and he solves a ton of issues. Quartexx client, and loved playing in Montreal. Easy number one choice.

2) Mikael Granlund. Doesn’t bring the physical presence or nastiness you get from Bennett but Granlund is a reliable veteran that works hard and embraced his role as a mentor to the young players in San Jose. Good vet signing for a couple years.

3) Mitch Marner. Another Quartexx client and someone who would add elite level scoring to our top 6, while also providing a high level of defense. Has played in a media fishbowl his entire life so wouldn’t be afraid of the spotlight. Immediately adds a ton of firepower to our anemic offense.

Trade targets:

1) Mavrik Bourque. The Stars are all in for the next few years, at the expense of a lot of their draft capital, something the Habs have a ton of right now… could Bourque be pried out of Dallas with some picks/prospects that Dallas will need? In the next two drafts Dallas has a total of one second round pick in 2026, and one third round pick in 2025, in the first four rounds of each draft. Two total picks in 8 rounds. I think Bourque is someone that Hughes will have on his radar and could see him dangling a prospect like Trudeau or Mailloux along with some picks. Bourque would be an immediate injection of young talent, with the potential to be a superstar.

2) Dawson Mercer. Signed to a big contract but hasn’t made the big step required to earn those elevated dollars. Still very young, he has proven he can fly, can score and plays a great two way game. Kind of stuck behind Hughes and Hischier in the center department, he’s a young guy I think would do very well playing for MSL. Habs could dangle young defender Struble as the Devils could use a physical left hand defenseman, along with some picks.

I’d be happy with Bennett, Bourque or Mercer. Bennett is obviously my top choice but how cool would it be to pick up one or more of these guys in the offseason?

I would add Lundell to the trade targets. If Florida extend Bennett, they will need some cap space.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

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.

The Savard example is inconsequential. If the Habs decide to not re-sign him, they still might trade him even if in a playoff race and you are yet again another poster who takes a playoff race as a given.

It's crazy the number of mediums we have on the board. Maybe i should get lottery numbers from you guys. I wonder you aren't already all millionaires.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

I think it's more probable they trade Dach and or Newhook then retain on Anderson or Gallagher.

Demidov has is spot on the top 6.

Beck has his spot at 4C.

Kapanen can be the 13th guy for 1 season. He will still play 40-50, maybe even 60 games because of injuries.

Davidson. You don't buy out a big contract and handcuff yourself for 4 years for a guy like Davidson.

Roy... I don't know what to say. I would be really surprised if it happens. If he really forces your hand, you trade Laine or Gallagher at 50% before buying out Gallagher or Anderson.

What I want to see next season :

Slaf-Suzuki-Caufield
Demidov-2C (UFA or trade)-Laine/Roy
Heineman-Evans-Gallagher/Roy
Newhook-Beck-Anderson
Kapanen

I guess Dach stays if we can't get a 2C. If you get a 2C and decide to keep Dach for a last season to get back to form or get a bit of value in a trade, you trade Newhook.

I guess what I'm saying is there are a lot of possibilities before you have to buy out 1 or 2 players that still have a contract for 2 seasons.

I think next year's lineup is probably going to look closer to this:

Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Laine-2C Trade-Demidov
Newhook-Dach-Heineman
Anderson-Evans-Gallagher

I do think Hughes is gonna trade for a 2C, probably targeting a team looking for futures and prospects. Dach and Newhook have little value right now so trading either one is bad asset management. They're more valuable on a third line. Habs don't really need to trade Anderson/Gallagher until 2026 summer when the Hutson contract will eventually kick in, and they might want to also go do some big game hunting on the market, etc.

 

[Treb]

It wouldn't matter if the cap was going up but thanks to orange hair that is not a certainty.

Cap is irrelevant to the fact buying them out without the guarantee the prospects can be as good or better is a needlessly risky strategy.

 

[Benstheman]

I think next year's lineup is probably going to look closer to this:

Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Laine-2C Trade-Demidov
Newhook-Dach-Heineman
Anderson-Evans-Gallagher

I do think Hughes is gonna trade for a 2C, probably targeting a team looking for futures and prospects. Dach and Newhook have little value right now so trading either one is bad asset management. They're more valuable on a third line. Habs don't really need to trade Anderson/Gallagher until 2026 summer when the Hutson contract will eventually kick in, and they might want to also go do some big game hunting on the market, etc.

Yeah I see the argument of keeping Dach for one more year but I definitely put him on the wing, not at center.

As for Newhook. I don't think he will ever have a better value. He is a bottom 6 winger that doesn't bring much. Doesn't have an identity. I would trade him this summer.

 

[Sorinth]

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.

If Colorado faces Dallas in the 1st round and gets bounced will you still say it was a brilliant move? Especially if Necas/Rantanen produce their typical playoff #s it's going to look like a huge blunder.

In theory two 7m players might be better then a single 14m, but in practice it often doesn't work out that way. Every little bit of value above a replacement level player becomes more and more valuable, we make a big deal about depth because of how often we see it be the difference maker in a series/game, but at the end of the day depth only comes into play when the top end are close to being equivalent.

 

[sampollock]

Savard is talking retirement.

so soon that dude is gone

 

[LesCactus]

Savard is talking retirement.

so soon that dude is gone

Call me crazy, but he seems like the type of dude that would make a good coach in the future.

 

[sampollock]

Call me crazy, but he seems like the type of dude that would make a good coach in the future.

could be... i bet he would

 

[Miller Time]

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.

I wouldn't quite go that far... There are a handful of players that are easily "worth" 12-15% of the cap and are better assets to have than 2 typical vets on 7M$ contracts.

But 100% you can't whiff on making that kind of bet... That's why I think Bennett is unfortunately a pipe dream. If he leaves Florida, itll be for top market $, and there's a team or two out there that'll give him 10M+

Also why I think Zegras is such an appealing target. The talent is there to be one of the best players from that draft (up there with Boldy, Caufield), and if the insider intel Hughes/MSL/CC can gather on him is positive, every reason to believe he could fit in quickly & be a "change of scenery" type that recovers his previous potential.

His QO ensures we can keep him on a very manageable cap hit for a few seasons, but if it goes well next year, not crazy to think he'd be open to a deal mirroring CC's that keeps him under 8M$ through the rest of his 20's. CC, Suzuki, Slaf & Zegras all under 8M$ through their mid to late 20's would be a coup and set the Habs up to have a cap structure no team can match in very short order as they all hit their peak years.

 

[Walksss]

I wouldn't quite go that far... There are a handful of players that are easily "worth" 12-15% of the cap and are better assets to have than 2 typical vets on 7M$ contracts.

But 100% you can't whiff on making that kind of bet... That's why I think Bennett is unfortunately a pipe dream. If he leaves Florida, itll be for top market $, and there's a team or two out there that'll give him 10M+

Also why I think Zegras is such an appealing target. The talent is there to be one of the best players from that draft (up there with Boldy, Caufield), and if the insider intel Hughes/MSL/CC can gather on him is positive, every reason to believe he could fit in quickly & be a "change of scenery" type that recovers his previous potential.

His QO ensures we can keep him on a very manageable cap hit for a few seasons, but if it goes well next year, not crazy to think he'd be open to a deal mirroring CC's that keeps him under 8M$ through the rest of his 20's. CC, Suzuki, Slaf & Zegras all under 8M$ through their mid to late 20's would be a coup and set the Habs up to have a cap structure no team can match in very short order as they all hit their peak years.

I dunno if Bennett gets 10 milly, but I'm not even sure I'd love giving him even 9 for 7/8 years. For sure somebody is going to give him a huge long-term contract, do we want to win that bid?

 

[Habs7631]

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.

What kind of package are you guys thinking for Lundell?

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

All of them except Hutson I would make available for Dahlin. Guhle+++ no doubt. But if they put Dahlin on the market, every playoffs team will put two 1st + their best prospects on the table.

1) Mavrik Bourque. The Stars are all in for the next few years, at the expense of a lot of their draft capital, something the Habs have a ton of right now… could Bourque be pried out of Dallas with some picks/prospects that Dallas will need? In the next two drafts Dallas has a total of one second round pick in 2026, and one third round pick in 2025, in the first four rounds of each draft. Two total picks in 8 rounds. I think Bourque is someone that Hughes will have on his radar and could see him dangling a prospect like Trudeau or Mailloux along with some picks. Bourque would be an immediate injection of young talent, with the potential to be a superstar.

I was thinking about him during the Rantanen saga. Glad Carolina didn’t get him, should definitely be a target for us.

 

[vokiel]

Call me crazy, but he seems like the type of dude that would make a good coach in the future.

As long as he avoids doing what Marty did and starts at the bottom of ladder with youth coaching, I agree.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

No thanks to Marner, we have 2 tinys already.

We’re in the same boat here, I want to get bigger and meaner and have been saying it since I joined this board.

I’m just saying that they sniffed around on him, so it’s potentially someone they’d take a flyer on. Do I want him? Not especially, but he does provide elite level offense and defense without giving up any assets.

Bennett is the one for me, but I’ve made that abundantly clear by this point.

I hope they move on from Newhook. Just not a fan and don’t think he fits here.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to move Laine as well - if they retained 50 percent on him, he’d likely bring back something decent from a team looking to score some goals. Probably more of a deadline move though.

I see it potentially as:

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Demidov - Bennett - Laine
Heineman - Dach - Anderson
Davidson - Evans - Beck
*Gallagher (potentially bought out)

Hutson - Matheson
Guhle - Carrier
Xhekaj - Reinbacher

Montembeault
Dobes

Basically -

In: Bennett, Demidov, Reinbacher, Davidson, Beck

Out: Newhook, Struble, Armia, Savard, Gallagher

 

[Walksss]

We’re in the same boat here, I want to get bigger and meaner and have been saying it since I joined this board.

I’m just saying that they sniffed around on him, so it’s potentially someone they’d take a flyer on. Do I want him? Not especially, but he does provide elite level offense and defense without giving up any assets.

Bennett is the one for me, but I’ve made that abundantly clear by this point.

I hope they move on from Newhook. Just not a fan and don’t think he fits here.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to move Laine as well - if they retained 50 percent on him, he’d likely bring back something decent from a team looking to score some goals. Probably more of a deadline move though.

I see it potentially as:

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Demidov - Bennett - Laine
Heineman - Dach - Anderson
Davidson - Evans - Beck
*Gallagher (potentially bought out)

Hutson - Matheson
Guhle - Carrier
Xhekaj - Reinbacher

Montembeault
Dobes

Basically -

In: Bennett, Demidov, Reinbacher, Davidson, Beck

Out: Newhook, Struble, Armia, Savard, Gallagher

That's a nice looking lineup. Sign me up.

 

[therocket9]

They’re going big game hunting this off season. They were reported to be in on Rantanen, Marner, and Cozens, but at what capacity I don’t know… Hughes and Gorton have a pretty good relationship and they both want to make a splash to take the next step.

Potential UFAs:
1) Sam Bennett. 2nd line center is our biggest hole and he solves a ton of issues. Quartexx client, and loved playing in Montreal. Easy number one choice.

2) Mikael Granlund. Doesn’t bring the physical presence or nastiness you get from Bennett but Granlund is a reliable veteran that works hard and embraced his role as a mentor to the young players in San Jose. Good vet signing for a couple years.

3) Mitch Marner. Another Quartexx client and someone who would add elite level scoring to our top 6, while also providing a high level of defense. Has played in a media fishbowl his entire life so wouldn’t be afraid of the spotlight. Immediately adds a ton of firepower to our anemic offense.

Trade targets:

1) Mavrik Bourque. The Stars are all in for the next few years, at the expense of a lot of their draft capital, something the Habs have a ton of right now… could Bourque be pried out of Dallas with some picks/prospects that Dallas will need? In the next two drafts Dallas has a total of one second round pick in 2026, and one third round pick in 2025, in the first four rounds of each draft. Two total picks in 8 rounds. I think Bourque is someone that Hughes will have on his radar and could see him dangling a prospect like Trudeau or Mailloux along with some picks. Bourque would be an immediate injection of young talent, with the potential to be a superstar.

2) Dawson Mercer. Signed to a big contract but hasn’t made the big step required to earn those elevated dollars. Still very young, he has proven he can fly, can score and plays a great two way game. Kind of stuck behind Hughes and Hischier in the center department, he’s a young guy I think would do very well playing for MSL. Habs could dangle young defender Struble as the Devils could use a physical left hand defenseman, along with some picks.

I’d be happy with Bennett, Bourque or Mercer. Bennett is obviously my top choice but how cool would it be to pick up one or more of these guys in the offseason?

Bourque is and RFA could be trade or offer sheet ....Rossi is also RFA.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

habs should drop a blank check for Marner then trade for a center
and if you land Marner you trade Laine at 50%.

The rest of the kids will come up slowly

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Bourque is and RFA could be trade or offer sheet ....Rossi is also RFA.

...Minny would match a Rossi sheet...Dallas might not be able to match a good Bourque offersheet, which is why trading one of our 1sts for him might work...

 

[Runner77]

I dunno if Bennett gets 10 milly, but I'm not even sure I'd love giving him even 9 for 7/8 years. For sure somebody is going to give him a huge long-term contract, do we want to win that bid?

Only costs cap room, which we have.

That’s assuming he’d even consider Montreal.