HF Habs: Trade Proposal Thread 92 Waiting on the DRAFT Edition

Bergevin biggest downfall was letting the window close without knowing there was a window to add to the core. What he hoarded ended up being nothing from poor draftingand development. Let's see what Hughes does now that a lottery pick is no longer realistic and he has some built up expendable assets.
HE wasted the big 3 d men and Price.
with no scoring... MB messed that up
 
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I want Jared McCann. I was told in life that you need a goal, and you have to pursue it. So, as far as what is feasible, this is who I want.
 
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How realistic is it that we could get him for Demidov?

Why would we trade a future franchise player for 2 years of a has-been? You want to add these guys to the mix not trade our best asset for them.
 
If we don't make a trade for a young top-6 center, I think we'll sign Duchene this summer. It makes too much sense.

- Dallas likely won't be able to re-sign him
- Montreal is likely the place that interests Duchene the most. We were among the 2 finalists the last time Duchene was UFA.
- He has a clear spot at 2C with awesome wingers (Laine and Demidov). Duchene is also a lefty and he's good on faceoffs, which is a need on this team.
- Montreal is a playoff-caliber team now, so he will get a chance to win.
- We have the cap space. We can give him a 2-year contract. That will give us enough time to figure out if we have a future 2C in Hage, Dach, Kapanen, or Beck, or to acquire a good young top 6 center that fits well with this team.

Next season:

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Duchene - Demidov
Newhook - Dach - Anderson
Heineman - Evans - Gallagher

Guhle - Hutson
Matheson - Carrier
Xhekaj - Reinbacher
Struble

Monty
Dobes
 
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Does Montreal, even with the rising Cap ceiling, have enough Cap space (don't forget the rookie bonuses pushed to next season) to sign to such UFAs?

Dvorak (4.45M) + Armia (3.4M) = 7.85M going out
Cap going up from 88.7M to 93.2M = 4.5M
Ability to play a 20-man roster could save between 2.5M to 3M.

14.8M to 15.3M to play with. Beyond that, we'd need to move one of Gallagher or Anderson and there still needs to be calculated the rise in Hutson's salary the season before both Gallagher and Anderson's contracts come off the books.

Next season with Demidov, Reinbacher, and one of Roy/Beck/Kapanen Montreal has 18 players signed at, approximately, $75.5 million (not including Price). With the salary cap at $95.5 million that leaves $20 million (minus bonuses) to sign RFA’s Heineman and Struble and sign/trade for 2 more players. I don’t see the cap being an issue in getting at least a second line centre (or even another second line player).
 
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Next season with Demidov, Reinbacher, and one of Roy/Beck/Kapanen Montreal has 18 players signed at, approximately, $75.5 million (not including Price). With the salary cap at $95.5 million that leaves $20 million (minus bonuses) to sign RFA’s Heineman and Struble and sign/trade for 2 more players. I don’t see the cap being an issue in getting at least a second line centre (or even another second line player).
Demidov and Reibacher are probably the only two we can slot in next season line up. Roy maybe the 13th forward, but I see him going back to Laval again given recent play. Beck need another year in the AHL and Kapanen may also benefit from playing on a North American ice size surface more before being in the NHL full time. They also dont address a need right now. You need top 6 forwards and none of them can fulfil that role now
 
If we don't make a trade for a young top-6 center, I think we'll sign Duchene this summer. It makes too much sense.

- Dallas likely won't be able to re-sign him
Last I read is that both parties really want to get it done and that he would sign a cheap contract if it came to it. But yes Duchene would be a perfect add.
 
I feel duchene is a #1 center right now and would ask to be deployed as such which means #1 powerplay. I feel Demidov - Caufield - Suzuki - Laine - Hutson will be the powerplay next season.

I would go the Bennett/O'reilly route personally for a #2 C. A player who's a beast 5-on-5 and will accept #2 powerplay duty with defensive responsabilities as well. Between 50-65 points with our scoring forwards would be expected.
 
I feel duchene is a #1 center right now and would ask to be deployed as such which means #1 powerplay. I feel Demidov - Caufield - Suzuki - Laine - Hutson will be the powerplay next season.

I would go the Bennett/O'reilly route personally for a #2 C, a guy who's a beast 5-on-5 and will accept #2 powerplay duty with defensive responsabilities as well. Between 50-65 points with our scoring forwards would be expected.
Benny has told his agent to make it work in Florida.

O'Reilly has a "handshake" NTC with Trotz, not moving

Duchene lives the Ultra Christian life and loves it in the South. He's staying down there.

We'll have to look elsewhere imo
 
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Benny has told his agent to make it work in Florida.

O'Reilly has a "handshake" NTC with Trotz, not moving

Duchene lives the Ultra Christian life and loves it in the South. He's staying down there.

We'll have to look elsewhere imo
You're right. They are all unlikely. I was throwing names out there as the type of players I'd like HuGo to go after rather than specific players. I'd want someone with a different role than Suzuki and not someone to compete with him for the #1 spot. It would be less expensive to pay for or acquire as well.

Should be an interesting topic to follow after the season with Newhook and Dach failing to step up with all the opportunities they had, it should be a top priority.
 
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With the playoff dream fading quickly I'm just going to ramble to myself about potential offseason moves.
Green names are players I'm fairly certain will be back/added and yellow names are players I wouldn't be shocked to see moved. I'm assuming our roster next season will look something along the lines of:

Slaf - Suzuki - Caufield
Demidov
- New 2C - Laine
Newhook - Beck/Kapanen - Dach
Anderson - Evans - Gallagher

Hutson
- Matheson
Guhle - Carrier
Struble/Xhekaj - Reinbacher/Mailloux
Obviously we need to address the 2C hole first and foremost, whether it's by trade or free agency who knows. If it's through a trade then I think either Dach or Newhook will almost certainly be involved in the package going the other way. Both guys are still very young and I could see other teams being interested in taking a flyer on them, obviously there'd be a lot more going back though. Even if we sign a UFA 2C then I still think one of Dach/Newhook will get dealt in a package for a RHD. The roster above doesn't include Heineman since we'd be losing Armia but adding Demidov+2C, meaning we need to move one more forward out. Everyone else in the forward core is either untouchable or has negative value, so Dach and Newhook are the odd men out.

On defense I think moving Matheson is nearly a must at this point. There's a massive log jam on the left side and I don't want Hutson or Guhle being forced into their off side as they continue to develop, meaning Matheson would be forced to the right side. Matheson isn't the defensively sound partner I'd want to pair with any young, inexperienced defenseman. It feels like one of Struble/Xhekaj could be expendable this summer, but with Guhle's injury history I wouldn't hate keeping both around just incase.

Meanwhile Mailloux seems to be in a weird spot currently. He's received a few callups but seemingly hasn't impressed management/the coaching staff so far and Reinbacher is arguably looking more NHL ready than him already. I still think he has a fantastic ceiling if he can get his defensive game together. He brings excellent offense, a bomb of a shot(which the team is lacking now), good size, he's right handed and he has a bit of a mean streak. I probably wouldn't move him unless we're getting a very significant piece back. Even though I think Reinbacher may be more NHL ready, I think I'd almost prefer to have Mailloux start with the Habs over him next season. I think Mailloux needs to get NHL reps in to make his mistakes and learn from them. Meanwhile Reinbacher would probably be better served playing #1 minutes in Laval next season instead of sheltered time in Montreal.
 
With the playoff dream fading quickly I'm just going to ramble to myself about potential offseason moves.
Green names are players I'm fairly certain will be back/added and yellow names are players I wouldn't be shocked to see moved. I'm assuming our roster next season will look something along the lines of:

Slaf - Suzuki - Caufield
Demidov
- New 2C - Laine
Newhook - Beck/Kapanen - Dach
Anderson - Evans - Gallagher

Hutson
- Matheson
Guhle - Carrier
Struble/Xhekaj - Reinbacher/Mailloux
Obviously we need to address the 2C hole first and foremost, whether it's by trade or free agency who knows. If it's through a trade then I think either Dach or Newhook will almost certainly be involved in the package going the other way. Both guys are still very young and I could see other teams being interested in taking a flyer on them, obviously there'd be a lot more going back though. Even if we sign a UFA 2C then I still think one of Dach/Newhook will get dealt in a package for a RHD. The roster above doesn't include Heineman since we'd be losing Armia but adding Demidov+2C, meaning we need to move one more forward out. Everyone else in the forward core is either untouchable or has negative value, so Dach and Newhook are the odd men out.

On defense I think moving Matheson is nearly a must at this point. There's a massive log jam on the left side and I don't want Hutson or Guhle being forced into their off side as they continue to develop, meaning Matheson would be forced to the right side. Matheson isn't the defensively sound partner I'd want to pair with any young, inexperienced defenseman. It feels like one of Struble/Xhekaj could be expendable this summer, but with Guhle's injury history I wouldn't hate keeping both around just incase.

Meanwhile Mailloux seems to be in a weird spot currently. He's received a few callups but seemingly hasn't impressed management/the coaching staff so far and Reinbacher is arguably looking more NHL ready than him already. I still think he has a fantastic ceiling if he can get his defensive game together. He brings excellent offense, a bomb of a shot(which the team is lacking now), good size, he's right handed and he has a bit of a mean streak. I probably wouldn't move him unless we're getting a very significant piece back. Even though I think Reinbacher may be more NHL ready, I think I'd almost prefer to have Mailloux start with the Habs over him next season. I think Mailloux needs to get NHL reps in to make his mistakes and learn from them. Meanwhile Reinbacher would probably be better served playing #1 minutes in Laval next season instead of sheltered time in Montreal.
Mailloux will never be good defensively..never.

This dude has his head in the clouds so often in his own zone .

Also he is often flatfoot in the neutral zone when the opposite team attacks on the rush.

He has one elite tool..his shot..thats it

Down the road not a single coach at the NHL level will have confidence in him 5 vs 5.

The few times that I watched him in Juniors...I could'nt believe how he was awful defensively.....and as a DEFENSEman....it is important to be just average defensively.

If your name is Paul Coffey or Erik Karlsson you can be awful defensively but Mailloux is not good enough offensively to be an NHl player 5 vs 5 in the big league.

I would trade him on a heartbeat.
 
I feel duchene is a #1 center right now and would ask to be deployed as such which means #1 powerplay. I feel Demidov - Caufield - Suzuki - Laine - Hutson will be the powerplay next season.

I would go the Bennett/O'reilly route personally for a #2 C. A player who's a beast 5-on-5 and will accept #2 powerplay duty with defensive responsabilities as well. Between 50-65 points with our scoring forwards would be expected.
Duchene is going to be 35, he's not a #1 anymore.
 
All right fine. And he'll probably decline next year.

Habs should offer Duchene a contract, though honestly I don't know what he would cost. How about 2x8?
I don't know, I'm not even sure whether it'll be considered a 35+ or not. He's gonna try to resign with Dallas that's understandable, but they committed to Wyatt Johnston and Roope Hintz, so there's an opening. If it's not going to be a 35+, I'd try adding term instead of raising the AAV, see if that interests him.
 
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Next season with Demidov, Reinbacher, and one of Roy/Beck/Kapanen Montreal has 18 players signed at, approximately, $75.5 million (not including Price). With the salary cap at $95.5 million that leaves $20 million (minus bonuses) to sign RFA’s Heineman and Struble and sign/trade for 2 more players. I don’t see the cap being an issue in getting at least a second line centre (or even another second line player).
I'm not sure what the actual Cap figures will be because I read different things on different sites we find in them Internets.

Still, if we go by your numbers (20M for Heineman and Struble, plus the addition of Reinbacher on his ELC and two other players to reach the maximum 23-player roster size), we'd be pretty good.

While Hutson would command a HUGE raise after next year, and despite still having Gallagher and Anderson for the first year of Hutson's second NHL contract, the raise of approximately 9M in the Cap ceiling per year for the last two of the next three years should cover that. The 9M raise in the Cap ceiling in three years, along with the 12M freed up by the end of Gallagher and Anderson's contracts, plus moving on from Matheson's 4.875M contract before that, should help cover Demidov's next contract, Reinbacher's next contract and the addition of another RHD, IMHO.

Since we,d have reached a point where the G tandem would be the extremely cheap Fowler-Dobes, one on his ELC and the other on an affordable, medium-term contract, it's clear that Hughes can add a 2C and another top-6 forward this offseason, if the point is to move on from the inconsistent and often troubled Patrick Laine.

Adding a reliable 25/30-goal winger to replace Laine might not be a bad idea. The added 8.7M Cap space when moving on from Laine after next year should more than cover for the other 25/30-goal scorer.

When Montreal is ready to compete for a Cup in 4 years, the lineup could look something like:

Caufield (40G) - Suzuki (25G) - Demidov (25G)
Ehlers (25/30G) - Acquired 2C (20G) - Slafkovsky (20G)
Heineman (15G) - Hage (20G) - Kapanen (15G)
Xhekaj (10G) - Beck (10G) - Evans (10G)

Hutson - Reinbacher
Guhle - Acquired RHD
Xhekaj - Carrier (re-signed)

Fowler
Dobes

We'd easily get 200+ goals from our regular forward group, IMO. Playing Slafkovsky with two veterans in Ehlers and an acquired 2C would help make the young winger more consistent.
 
All-in for Dobson : Matheson, Mailloux, Roy, 1st 2025 (later one)
Sign Bennett, Duchene or Granlund for 3 years .. we need a versatile player who can play in all the situation
Trade Price after he got his last bonus to sign Dobson

We have 3 goods D in Hutson, Guhle and Reinbacher. The 2 last one can't play 20 games in a row without being injured. With Dobson we have 4 top 4 who can play between 20-25 minutes.

For the NY Islanders :
Matheson take the ice time of Dobson in short term
They add an offensive right d to replace Dobson in long term without being the same caliber
Adding J. Roy has a throw-in can be the deal breaker for P. Roy
The first pick will help them to rebuild, they are very old
They have the option to resign Matheson or trade him at the deadline for 1st and/or prospects

For Mtl :
Very costly in asset but it will be very hard to target an right elite d-man who fit the window better than Dobson. Doing the magic to fit him in the cap with the next raise of Hutson and Demidov will become an headache in the future but if Brisebois is able to be creative to manage his salary cap without many assets, Hughes can do the same with his hands full of assets. Matheson because of his value and the way he play, Mailloux we have no use for him, close to be a liability at even strength and with him its more a one man show than a team commitment; not my kind of d at all who make nobody better on the ice. If we keep them they will hurt us more than helping us in the long run, for me it's 2 dead weights and the reason I will try to trade both of them this summer when they still have value.
 
Demidov and Reibacher are probably the only two we can slot in next season line up. Roy maybe the 13th forward, but I see him going back to Laval again given recent play. Beck need another year in the AHL and Kapanen may also benefit from playing on a North American ice size surface more before being in the NHL full time. They also dont address a need right now. You need top 6 forwards and none of them can fulfil that role now
They do address a need. Habs also need 3rd and 4th line forwards that aren't stone hands.
 

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