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

Is there a trade to be made around this:

Matheson + picks/prospects (+maybe Anderson) for Danault + Clarke ?

Clarke would fit nicely on our right side while Danault could be a 2C for 2 years while we wait for Hage.
lets stop with Danault

hes so overrated its crazy we need a real center not a pseudo fake one
 
Jesus, McKenna has 39 points over his last 10 games and is averaging 3 points per game in the playoffs... He's set to absolutely blow Bedard's WHL draft year completely out of the water. Then in 2027 there's DuPont, who just put up a near PPG season in the WHL as a 15 year old defenseman...

I'm expecting those 2 guys alone will convince some management groups to commit to a fire sale this summer to maximize their odds at those 2 franchise players. That could hopefully open up a ton of trade options this summer that aren't on our radar yet.
This is what I also think

Ideally Dubas manages to convince Crosby that him moving on is for the best

Or that the Islanders fire Lou and blow it, then you go Horvat
 
This is what I also think

Ideally Dubas manages to convince Crosby that him moving on is for the best

Or that the Islanders fire Lou and blow it, then you go Horvat
Yea, there's a ton of aging teams that clearly aren't winning anything in the near future but might be desperate enough to keep trying. IF the Pens decide to go that route then hopefully we're on a short list of teams that Crosby's willing to go to. I'd offer a decent package for him, but I wouldn't empty the cupboards.

Teams like Pens, Isles, Rangers, Bruins, Canucks and Preds are all in that situation where they could either try to force it to work next season, or blow it up and tank over the next 2 seasons. If any of those teams commit to a rebuild then they could have one of the brightest futures in the league as soon as the summer of 2027.
 
Can you name this mythical 2C we can get for the picks?
Probably won't be many high end ones but ideally you're looking for a LHC who's good defensively and can pull the trigger. Some options would be McTavish (probably too expensive), Zacha (could be had but divisional trades are tough and he's a bit older than our core), Lundell (although I can't see Florida moving him unless they bring Bennett back), Beniers (same as McTavish), Hayton (plausible, probably one need one pick but he might be more of a middle six 6).

Or test your luck in FA for a Duchene I guess. I don't really see anyone who fits that profile who we'd be in a solid position to draft and who I believe has 2C upside.
 
Probably won't be many high end ones but ideally you're looking for a LHC who's good defensively and can pull the trigger. Some options would be McTavish (probably too expensive), Zacha (could be had but divisional trades are tough and he's a bit older than our core), Lundell (although I can't see Florida moving him unless they bring Bennett back), Beniers (same as McTavish), Hayton (plausible, probably one need one pick but he might be more of a middle six 6).

Or test your luck in FA for a Duchene I guess. I don't really see anyone who fits that profile who we'd be in a solid position to draft and who I believe has 2C upside.
McTavish is Untouchable for the ducks, Seattle already has a million draft picks and prospects, Florida is in a cup contention window with Lundell already signed long term on a great deal and is the heir apparent to their 2C position for the next decade, Zacha is a product of Pastrnak no way in hell am I trading a 1st round pick for him, that would be almost as bad as when Bergevin traded for Dvorak. Hayton is a good player but ideally a 3C on a cup contender. There aren't any good options at 2C available for picks, it's gonna be player for player or NHL ready prospects. You're better off just using the picks.
 
Jesus, McKenna has 39 points over his last 10 games and is averaging 3 points per game in the playoffs... He's set to absolutely blow Bedard's WHL draft year completely out of the water. Then in 2027 there's DuPont, who just put up a near PPG season in the WHL as a 15 year old defenseman...

I'm expecting those 2 guys alone will convince some management groups to commit to a fire sale this summer to maximize their odds at those 2 franchise players. That could hopefully open up a ton of trade options this summer that aren't on our radar yet.
For real, these two are going to have teams tanking like we’ve never seen since McDavid

Especially DuPont… if he keeps it up he is the best D prospect ever lol
 
Mailloux, Roy, and at least one of the 1sts are definitely getting traded this summer
I’m not sure about that, unless there’s a clear young second line center targeted. I know this group wants to make a move, but I think they’re twice bitten twice shy, with moving first rounders for guys who haven’t really worked out….

I think they’ll be ultra busy on UFA opening, but I don’t see them moving young talent or picks, unless they have a young can’t miss guy already in their sights.

And if anything, I’d say they’d be more likely move a left hand shooting defenseman before Mailloux. Next year we have Matheson, Hutson, Guhle, Xhekaj, and Struble that are all NHL defensemen. Something has to give.

And unfortunately, Marty obviously seems to think it’s one of Struble or Xhekaj, with Xhekaj being his favourite whipping boy.

Kent Hughes has a lot on his plate between the draft and UFA season. I don’t envy his task ahead.
 
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I looked all around the league and there's only 4 or 5 real good options for a 2C on my wishlist. The problem is, the Habs will need to pay the moon for it and not even sure the other GM will bite.

My option #1:

Anton Lundell; a great great two-way 2C, just 23 years old, Barkov lite, a stud really, Stanley Cup winner. I would give everything Florida wants for him among the non-untouchables assets.

1743819584742.png


My option #2:

Mason McTavish; good offensive instincts, good size

1743819617635.png


My option #3:

Ryan McLeod; looks like a late bloomer, a little bit older, but fits perfectly the Habs timeline. Might be the cheapest option knowing how bad Buffalo's GM are with trades lately.

1743820254341.png


My option #4:

Barrett Hayton; good all around center, still has untaped potential

1743819805959.png


My option #5:

Cole Sillinger; the youngest option here, if not for his injury, would be close to 40 points by now. Looks bad quite defensively though with his -16, so not sure if he's a good fit for Laine.

1743820691688.png


*******************************************

What would be my offers (ranked from best value to worst for the other teams):
  1. Hage, 1st round pick 2025 and Mailloux
  2. Dach, 1st round pick 2025, Mesar/Roy and Mailloux
  3. Matheson, 1st round pick 2025, Mailloux
  4. Beck, 1st round pick 2025, 2nd round pick 2025, Mesar/Roy, 3rd round pick 2025 and Mailloux
  5. Beck, Kapanen, 2nd round pick 2025, 3rd round pick 2025 and Mailloux
 
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HuGo will overpay for 2C if need be, which slots Newhook in the role he was acquired for … 3C.

Stranger things have happened but I think it’s very low probability Dvo is back

I do however expect Armia will be back on a short term deal - get the sense both player & team have no desire to blow up the marriage

There really is no place for Armia. I doubt he will be back

Caufield- Suz - Slaf
Laine - 2nd center- Demidov
Heineman- Newhook - Dach
Anderson - Evans - Gallagher
Beck/Kapanen
 
HuGo will overpay for 2C if need be, which slots Newhook in the role he was acquired for … 3C.

Stranger things have happened but I think it’s very low probability Dvo is back

I do however expect Armia will be back on a short term deal - get the sense both player & team have no desire to blow up the marriage
I doubt Newhook will be a 3C either, I think either Kapanen or Beck gets that. I think Newhook will eventually be traded. Unless he breaks out, of course. But otherwise, he doesn't offer enough for someone of his size and physical ability.
 
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Probably won't be many high end ones but ideally you're looking for a LHC who's good defensively and can pull the trigger. Some options would be McTavish (probably too expensive), Zacha (could be had but divisional trades are tough and he's a bit older than our core), Lundell (although I can't see Florida moving him unless they bring Bennett back), Beniers (same as McTavish), Hayton (plausible, probably one need one pick but he might be more of a middle six 6).

Or test your luck in FA for a Duchene I guess. I don't really see anyone who fits that profile who we'd be in a solid position to draft and who I believe has 2C upside.
If theres no option available. I would sign Mikael Granlund. He is centerman and playmaker first. I think with Laine it could be a good match. And demidov. Why not.
 
lets stop with Danault

hes so overrated its crazy we need a real center not a pseudo fake one
Imagine a Demidov - Danault - Laine? Lol

There really is no place for Armia. I doubt he will be back

Caufield- Suz - Slaf
Laine - 2nd center- Demidov
Heineman- Newhook - Dach
Anderson - Evans - Gallagher
Beck/Kapanen
Armia is definitely gone. I do think Dvorak might be back for a year or two. They still value him for faceoffs and penalty kill + I feel Suzuki is starting to speak up on who he likes on the team. Still not sold on Newhook being 3C.

Also, if Heineman stays cold, I don't think his spot would be guaranteed next season.
 
A 2nd line center is the priority for the summer. Potentially to have a really really good line up:

Slafkovsky - Suzuki - Caufield.
Demidov - Top 6 C - Laine.
Heineman - Newhook - Dach.
Anderson - Evans - Gallagher.

I wouldn't touch Hage, Reinbacher or Fowler for acquiring at top 6 C. They are 3 huge pieces for the future.

We have a lot of assets already with 2 1st picks this draft, Kapanen, Beck, Mailloux, Engstrom etc... Maybe you can put Newhook//Dach in the deal aswell.
 
For real, these two are going to have teams tanking like we’ve never seen since McDavid

Especially DuPont… if he keeps it up he is the best D prospect ever lol

I know you say it in jest, and mean nothing by it, but you really betray your youth with comments like those.

I envy you for it, middle-age isn't fun. And yes, the loose term "middle-age" is a matter of perspective. But I won't share mine, that would be too personal an issue.

Anyways, weird rant aside, DuPont could be a generational-type of D prospect, one for which the "hype" would reach a level not seen for DECADES, that much is true.

But Potvin and Orr were no less accpmplished and well-regarded as defensemen in their youth, let me tell you.

Orr in particular was signed as a young 13 year-old to a contract by the Bruins to pre-emptively make sure to lock his NHL rights and not ever risk another team swooping-in and "stealing" him from the Bruins.

In the years that followed Orr trained with the junior team, and older pros. And he distinguished himself so much, was so good even in his youth that there were some murmurs then that the Bruins' high-brass would have given Bobby Orr a spot on the big team's blueline as a 16 year-old if letting a minor play wasn't expressly forbidden by league rules.

That was pre-expansion, mind. So there would have only been so many spots available for defensemen in the league, with a lot of competition for each given the scarcity, meaning that this was even higher praise then than it woud be now to say DuPont could be an NHLer at 16.

Oh, and I could also pull-out a similar-ish story for Potvin, whom I consider to have the second-highest peak of all-time as a defenseman behind Orr, but I'm already getting wordy so I won't bore you (further).

So yeah, DuPont will most likely be a monster in the NHL for years/decades to come but let's pump the brakes on "of all time" please.

And I apologize that I had to be Mr. Super-square, champion of Hockey History for a moment. But the years of Hockey lore resting in my soul couldn't be denied and I had to speak-out to try and provide context.

Aside from that, please carry on and cheers.
 
This is what I also think

Ideally Dubas manages to convince Crosby that him moving on is for the best

Or that the Islanders fire Lou and blow it, then you go Horvat
I think if NYI fires Lou wich would be quite sad because you Kind of have to like a GM who tries to go for it no matter what, and if new Management goes for the rebuild, you May end up with the most valuable fire sale in all of NHL history. Horvat, Lee, Pageau, Barzal, Pelech, Puloch, Dobson, Romanov, Sorokin would all bring 1st + prospect. In which case Habs should be interested in Horvat Pulock Sorokin.
 
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Maybe this is an unpopular opinion but I think Hutson's game works better on the right and it's showing.
It's not crazy. I think at the very least given the manner in which he defends. Hutson has become our least exposed Left Handed defender on that right side.
I haven't seen him get beat around the corner on that right side at anywhere near the same rate as Matheson who is extremely mobile.
Lane Hutson can't rely on strength to hold off attackers instead he uses inside body position and a fantastic stick.

A lesson to be learned for all our Lefties trying to play that side.
 
We are stuck with Kirby Dach for one more year. After that, its full season on 2C's through hell or high water. And it will be painful to get.
This is not true at all If Kirby Dach doesn't win a "role" with this club he can/should be cut.
Habs fans understand this has become real and the time for projects are over and done with.
 
It's not crazy. I think at the very least given the manner in which he defends. Hutson has become our least exposed Left Handed defender on that right side.
I haven't seen him get beat around the corner on that right side at anywhere near the same rate as Matheson who is extremely mobile.
Lane Hutson can't rely on strength to hold off attackers instead he uses inside body position and a fantastic stick.

A lesson to be learned for all our Lefties trying to play that side.
He also doesn't defend while backwards skating typically which makes it sort of a moot point that he's on his off side. Plus, in the offensive zone it gives him more options when walking the point. He doesn't like to walk the blueline going backwards either so it means he doesn't have to shoot across his body.
 
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I looked all around the league and there's only 4 or 5 real good options for a 2C on my wishlist. The problem is, the Habs will need to pay the moon for it and not even sure the other GM will bite.

My option #1:

Anton Lundell; a great great two-way 2C, just 23 years old, Barkov lite, a stud really, Stanley Cup winner. I would give everything Florida wants for him among the non-untouchables assets.

View attachment 1006432

My option #2:

Mason McTavish; good offensive instincts, good size

View attachment 1006433

My option #3:

Ryan McLeod; looks like a late bloomer, a little bit older, but fits perfectly the Habs timeline. Might be the cheapest option knowing how bad Buffalo's GM are with trades lately.

View attachment 1006439

My option #4:

Barrett Hayton; good all around center, still has untaped potential

View attachment 1006434

My option #5:

Cole Sillinger; the youngest option here, if not for his injury, would be close to 40 points by now. Looks bad quite defensively though with his -16, so not sure if he's a good fit for Laine.

View attachment 1006441

*******************************************

What would be my offers (ranked from best value to worst for the other teams):
  1. Hage, 1st round pick 2025 and Mailloux
  2. Dach, 1st round pick 2025, Mesar/Roy and Mailloux
  3. Matheson, 1st round pick 2025, Mailloux
  4. Beck, 1st round pick 2025, 2nd round pick 2025, Mesar/Roy, 3rd round pick 2025 and Mailloux
  5. Beck, Kapanen, 2nd round pick 2025, 3rd round pick 2025 and Mailloux
Stopped at 1. Hage is better than Lundell
 
He also doesn't defend while backwards skating typically which makes it sort of a moot point that he's on his off side. Plus, in the offensive zone it gives him more options when walking the point. He doesn't like to walk the blueline going backwards either so it means he doesn't have to shoot across his body.
I'd have to disagree. Watching Hutson pluck pucks off the left wall while making the next move is next level.
It's someting I haven't seen him try often or do as effectively on his backhand.
Hutson's offense is not predicated on his shot it's actually about him stealing ice and making plays off that theft.

There was a goal that Suzuki scored with 8 seconds left in the game that might re-enforce what I think I'm seeing.
 
I looked all around the league and there's only 4 or 5 real good options for a 2C on my wishlist. The problem is, the Habs will need to pay the moon for it and not even sure the other GM will bite.

My option #1:

Anton Lundell; a great great two-way 2C, just 23 years old, Barkov lite, a stud really, Stanley Cup winner. I would give everything Florida wants for him among the non-untouchables assets.

View attachment 1006432

My option #2:

Mason McTavish; good offensive instincts, good size

View attachment 1006433

My option #3:

Ryan McLeod; looks like a late bloomer, a little bit older, but fits perfectly the Habs timeline. Might be the cheapest option knowing how bad Buffalo's GM are with trades lately.

View attachment 1006439

My option #4:

Barrett Hayton; good all around center, still has untaped potential

View attachment 1006434

My option #5:

Cole Sillinger; the youngest option here, if not for his injury, would be close to 40 points by now. Looks bad quite defensively though with his -16, so not sure if he's a good fit for Laine.

View attachment 1006441

*******************************************

What would be my offers (ranked from best value to worst for the other teams):
  1. Hage, 1st round pick 2025 and Mailloux
  2. Dach, 1st round pick 2025, Mesar/Roy and Mailloux
  3. Matheson, 1st round pick 2025, Mailloux
  4. Beck, 1st round pick 2025, 2nd round pick 2025, Mesar/Roy, 3rd round pick 2025 and Mailloux
  5. Beck, Kapanen, 2nd round pick 2025, 3rd round pick 2025 and Mailloux
None of those are good options. No reasons for Lundell to be dealt, too.
 
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Xhekaj, alone, wouldn't land us a 2C, but he could be part pf package for one.

To get a young C bas a 2C, we likely need to give up an NHL player or two.

Personally, I believe that Beniers is being underestimated and all the better if Utah is satisfied by two other C, including Wright for their top-6, making Beniers available for a trade.

When he adds some meat to his 6'2" frame, he will become that much harder to face (currently 175 lbs).

How much would it cost for Beniers?
 

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