HF Habs: Trade Proposal Thread #93: Y'all got any more of those 2nd line centers out there?

[DemidovSZN]

I meant leaving from under Barkov’s wing because that is Barkov’s team and Barkov is the superstar. Bennett benefits from playing under him.

Got it!

You’re not wrong, he’s in an awesome position.

 

[OnTheRun]

I don't see it, unless they really need the cap space. Would probably cost an asset to dump on someone. Might as well just ride the last year out or even trade him for something at the TDL if the Habs take a step back.

He would cost nothing if the Habs retain salary, bunch of teams were kicking the tires on Laine last year, he ended up with us because CBJ was dead set on not retaining and the Habs was one of the few that could eat his cap hit whole.

 

[DemidovSZN]

Take it for what it's worth, but I was told that Laine will be gone - not sure if it means buy out or trade or what.

I don't like to throw random speculation out, but the same person told me last July that the Habs had a potential trade for Zegras at the draft and that they had interest in Laine a few weeks before the trade was even made.

A trade would be difficult. I don’t see them paying to trade him.

 

[le_sean]

Hard no, if we're bringing in a mid 30s player on a long term deal, they have to be worth it and address a clear need. That isnt the case here

I’d gladly get rid of soft as baby shit Laine and acquire a Conn Smythe winner

 

[Colezuki]

He would cost nothing if the Habs retain salary, bunch of teams were kicking the tires on Laine last year, he ended up with us because CBJ was dead set on not retaining and the Habs was one of the few that could eat his cap hit whole.

Wonder about someone like chicago for him?

 

[OldCraig71]

Here's the offseason gameplan for me:

Trade Laine and Matheson. Explore the market for Dach, Newhook and Anderson, and trade if anything makes sense.

Through UFA or trade, get 1) a stopgap 2C to play that role for the next couple years, 2) a top 4 RD to replace Matheson but on the right side, and 3) a top 6 winger to replace Laine.

If those moves are made, and the players coming in are actually good quality who fit the team, the team should be in great place to compete.

Now that Anderson has reinvented himself, I wouldn't trade him. He's a big dude who plays a hard game and is a good bottom-six player. With the rising cap, his salary isn't the burden it was two years ago. He is the type of player we need more of, especially come playoff time.

 

[Treb]

Why? The scarcity of center and active players may lead us to a step back. We're barely out of our development stage. We may have a down year.

Because it spends a lot of asset on luxuries and doesn't fix any of the actual holes in the lineup.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Peterka is a great player but I think we want someone with more physicality and grit in the top 6.

Also my bold prediction is a Matheson for Andersson swap.

That would be sooo brutal for CGY but I would love to get him

 

[NikoEhlers]

The Ehlers interested in Montreal thing has been around for a number of years now. Maybe my mind is inventing stuff, but I thought there was even an interview with Ehlers praising Montreal at some point. Probably wrong though.

I've always liked him has a player. Great motor, fast as hell.

He had an ex from Montreal when he was playing for Halifax, dont quote me on it though, but im 99% sure he was in Montreal a lot those years.

The closer we get to july, the bigger chance there is something unexpected would happen. But I have to say I still think the Jets will make him a Jet for life, give him 8 x 8, and I do believe Nik feels there is still unfinished business with that group of players, especially as Perfetti has stepped up on his line. If he leaves its solely because he wants a new challenge

 

[sampollock]

Not to mention the age and size. It's a pass now, he had his chance.

yup too old

 

[le_sean]

Hughes didn't want to give him the contract he got. No way he trades for him now unless there is retention and even then I don't see it.

$5.5m is nothing. We currently have two far worse wingers making that on our 3rd line. I’d imagine the Preds would retain too.

 

[The Great Weal]

That would be sooo brutal for CGY but I would love to get him

Andersson way way worse than Matheson this past year, he had a dog shit year.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

I don't see it, unless they really need the cap space. Would probably cost an asset to dump on someone. Might as well just ride the last year out or even trade him for something at the TDL if the Habs take a step back.

My guess is it wouldn't be based on cap space, but more on roster space. Laine didn't work on the second line at ES and then in the bottom six there will already be Evans, Anderson, Gallagher, Newhook, Dach and Heineman taking up most the spots with guys like Kapanen, Beck, Roy, etc potentially pushing for a spot as well.

They'll need to find upgrades for the second line to play with Demidov and also will need to fill PK minutes with Dvorak/Armia likely gone.

 

[Captain97]

I don't see it, unless they really need the cap space. Would probably cost an asset to dump on someone. Might as well just ride the last year out or even trade him for something at the TDL if the Habs take a step back.

It makes sense if he is going the other way in a deal for another player to offset cap.

 

[Milhouse40]

Now that Anderson has reinvented himself, I wouldn't trade him. He's a big dude who plays a hard game and is a good bottom-six player. With the rising cap, his salary isn't the burden it was two years ago. He is the type of player we need more of, especially come playoff time.

Completely agree....

If there's one thing the Habs need on their wing is another Anderson type of winger with a little bit more offensive skill.....wouldn't trade him....even for a 1st round pick

 

[Sterling Archer]

Hard no, if we're bringing in a mid 30s player on a long term deal, they have to be worth it and address a clear need. That isnt the case here

He made his bed now he can sleep in his term and cap. No thank you.

 

[Quatre Vingt Treize]

While Gorton's comment is true that there are wingers who drive their lines (Kucherov, Panarin, Kaprizov are a few), I think it's Gorton's way of not flat out going out there to say what they really need. Remember, he jokingly asked if this press conference is only local or if it will be available to the rest of the league. In other words, he doesn't want to show the Habs' hand.

I also think the winger that will drive his line will be Demidov.

But I do agree with you that wingers are easier to trade for or sign as UFA's than it is to get centers. But I don't put it past HuGo in finding a way to get a center. Remember when MB wasn't willing to trade for a center. Hughes traded for Dach and Monahan in the same off-season. So they do find ways to get it done.

Its weak free agent class for top 6 centers. Gorton may bet on what he has and go for next year. Especially if it forces him to LTIR Price, as 5 million in caproom will roll over into '26-27.

 

[Treb]

$5.5m is nothing. We currently have two far worse wingers making that on our 3rd line. I’d imagine the Preds would retain too.

The issue was the contract lenght, not the cap hit.

 

[The Great Weal]

Hard no, if we're bringing in a mid 30s player on a long term deal, they have to be worth it and address a clear need. That isnt the case here

I got no issue with the player, contract, and his size since he’s an absolute dawg. We just don’t need another winger at this stage.

 

[Kosseca]

Hughes didn't want to give him the contract he got. No way he trades for him now unless there is retention and even then I don't see it.

I think he was plan A... when he signed in NSH, Kent went to plan B and got Laine. Cant see MTL having both.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I think he was plan A... when he signed in NSH, Kent went to plan B and got Laine. Cant see MTL having both.

Marchessault is not what he used to be.

 

[Kosseca]

Marchessault is not what he used to be.

I agree. He would have been a good vet to have last year, but now our needs are elsewhere.

 

[tooji]

I got no issue with the player, contract, and his size since he’s an absolute dawg. We just don’t need another winger at this stage.

there is simply no position this team is "too good" to acquire depth at.

 

[CzarDemidov]

I got no issue with the player, contract, and his size since he’s an absolute dawg. We just don’t need another winger at this stage.

He’d be an upgrade over at least half of our top6…

I don’t love the contract but if they retain a bit and dump him, why not? Throw in Nicholas Roy as well.

 

[JadedRandom]

I agree. He would have been a good vet to have last year, but now our needs are elsewhere.

If we can't swing picks/players/prospects for help on the 2C spot, and can't sign a veteran 2C for a reasonable deal, I actually think we could acquire another winger and either buy-out Laine or trade him with a small sweetener to a team like the San Jose Sharks for future considerations.

Laine in the playoffs was such a non-factor and our team so much better with Demidov on the PP instead that I think Laine's days in Montreal are now counted.

But Marchessault's 4-year contract is too long at this point in time in my opinion, and he does not bring the talented size/grit that we sorely need in our top-6 or top-2 pairings for me to be "good" with Montreal acquiring him.