HF Habs: Trade Proposal Thread: From Here to Free Agency

[JustStopThePuck]

For the playoffs next year:

Slafkovsky / Suzuki / Caufield
Hage / McTavish / Demidov
Newhook / Frost / Anderson
Malenstyn / Evans / Klapka
Zharovsky

Forwards Out - Kapanen, Bolduc, Dach, Texier, Danault, Beck

Matheson / Dobson
Hutson / Reinbacher
Guhle / Schneider
Xhekaj

Defense Out - Carrier, Struble, Engstrom, Pickford

 

[Jaynki]

For the playoffs next year:

Slafkovsky / Suzuki / Caufield
Hage / McTavish / Demidov
Newhook / Frost / Anderson
Malenstyn / Evans / Klapka
Zharovsky

Forwards Out - Kapanen, Bolduc, Dach, Texier, Danault, Beck

Matheson / Dobson
Hutson / Reinbacher
Guhle / Schneider
Xhekaj

Defense Out - Carrier, Struble, Engstrom, Pickford

Malenstyn and Klapka are downgrade.

Frost is meh. McTavish might be overrated here.

 

[JustStopThePuck]

I would much rather pay the big price for the elite talent. Talent wins and talent trumps all. Would you rather have 1 Crosby or 5 Josh Andersons? Of course 1 Crosby.
I don't think Thomas is available and Hischer is probably a pipe dream because he gets moved in a hockey trade but if getting an elite player that isn't about to retire cost a Hage or Z or Bach you use your capital to acquire an elite talent. Teams win cups with elite talent on the roster.
Now I wouldn't use Hage or Z to get a 45 point washed center or buy low situation. Like McTavish. Def buy low I am not sending Hage for McTavish thats more like a 2nd or 1st round pick and Beck type prospect.

We're not talking Crosby or Anderson, when you use extremes like that to prove a point it becomes irrational.

If I had a choice between Hischier or McTavish, Whitecloud, Cuylle (while also keeping Hage, Z and Reinbacher), I believe the latter is better.

 

[Habs13]

I’d rather do nothing than target Mason McTavish. I’m all in for Nico Hischier. I wouldn’t take the McTavish contract for free.

Yeah I wanted McTavish but not now, not with that contract.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Mctavish scares me.
questionable IQ and speed. Bad combo.

“We need playoff performers.” Trade for a player who was scratched in the playoffs?

 

[vokiel]

What do you think of Greer ? His stats looks mediocre.
He's UFA this summer.

An excellent replacement for Gallagher next season, a decent alternative to Anderson for the one after that or a perfect replacement for Texier, if we're not keeping him around by then.

 

[Bolduc of Hazzard]

I feel like until we know what the Ducks want for McTavish it's impossible to know if there's a trade to be made.

Nobody knows for sure but the talk is a right handed defenceman is assumed the fish they'd try to get for him. And that might not really favour the Habs in acquiring him.

Then again that's a problem for a lot of these guys. It's possible that the contenders who need a centre like Montreal and Minnesota really don't have the assets that teams not in a playoff spot will. That's how Philly got Zegras.

That's why an outside the box move makes more sense. Someone not considered. Kinda why I think a Dylan Strome would be a possibility. Or get Gabe Villardi out of Winnipeg and commit him to centre instead of the wing.

 

[Bacchus1]

He needs more AHL experience...

I think this will be his big chance. He needs a big training summer but if he is healthy and it good condition he is already better than Xhekaj and Struble.

 

[Captain Mountain]

For the playoffs next year:

Slafkovsky / Suzuki / Caufield
Hage / McTavish / Demidov
Newhook / Frost / Anderson
Malenstyn / Evans / Klapka
Zharovsky

Forwards Out - Kapanen, Bolduc, Dach, Texier, Danault, Beck

Matheson / Dobson
Hutson / Reinbacher
Guhle / Schneider
Xhekaj

Defense Out - Carrier, Struble, Engstrom, Pickford

That's a lot of changes for not fixing any of the major issues.

 

[JustStopThePuck]

Mctavish scares me.
questionable IQ and speed. Bad combo.

“We need playoff performers.” Trade for a player who was scratched in the playoffs?

I don't think you're evaluating McTavish's attributes accurately. His hockey IQ is actually high, well above average. He evaluates soft spots in coverage, knows when to drive the net or distribute instead, creates offense in high danger areas, is usually ahead of the play, goo below the goal line and cycling. All that and he plays mean, big body, uses it well, doesn't avoid the contact. For skating, his top line speed is fine, but acceleration and edge work are meh. But that was said about Dylan Strome as well, but his hockey IQ has allowed him to figure out how to be still effective. I think McTavish can do similar. Other issues are being inconsistent, taking shifts off, lazy at times. I believe MSL, our team leadership and culture, could set him right again. All told, he has a 1st line brain, middle 6 skating, checking line physicality. To me he's a perfect 55-70pt 2C and his value has never been lower.

 

[JustStopThePuck]

That's a lot of changes for not fixing any of the major issues.

Sorry. Didn't realize we were already big, mean and physical, without losing offense.

 

[Apfle Strubble]

I think it became clear that we need another goal scorer on the team, as Caufield was shut down, the bottom 6 + Newhook really had the pick up the slack. That's not a viable solution long term. For this reason, I'd really like to get Kyrou, he averages just over 30 goals per season in the last 5 seasons and scores goals in the playoffs. The price wouldn't be so high since he's a winger with trade restriction in his contract. 1st + B prospect + player + other pick ought to do it I think. I'd really like Hishier in particular or else Thomas but I don't see either getting traded, especially Hishier

Of particular importance IMO is that two of our best forwards these playoffs in Evans and Danault were in their prime or past it. Another good to great shutdown C will be needed once Danault leaves. Hopefully that's Beck but maybe he won't get there or not fast enough. These players are also the best return on investment. Danault for a 2nd bought the Habs two rounds. As much as I'd like a good 2C, a solid goal scoring top 6 winger and some C depth might be the play here

 

[Captain Mountain]

Sorry. Didn't realize we were already big, mean and physical, without losing offense.

Those aren't the team's biggest issues, and the roster you provided isn't actually big, mean or physical.

 

[JustStopThePuck]

Those aren't the team's biggest issues, and the roster you provided isn't actually big, mean or physical.

Ticks all the boxes for me:
- improves pk
- adds solid 2C
- proper 3rd/4th line depth that hits and chips in on offense
- adds a top tier/potentially elite shot for Demidov and the PP
- significant upgrade on Carrier/Struble
- and doesn't cost us any major prospect

I mean you can disagree to a point or slight degree but if you're going to blanket ignore all improvements, small increments or not, in a single "does nothing" then I a question your sincerity of openness to discussion.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I don't think you're evaluating McTavish's attributes accurately. His hockey IQ is actually high, well above average. He evaluates soft spots in coverage, knows when to drive the net or distribute instead, creates offense in high danger areas, is usually ahead of the play, goo below the goal line and cycling. All that and he plays mean, big body, uses it well, doesn't avoid the contact. For skating, his top line speed is fine, but acceleration and edge work are meh. But that was said about Dylan Strome as well, but his hockey IQ has allowed him to figure out how to be still effective. I think McTavish can do similar. Other issues are being inconsistent, taking shifts off, lazy at times. I believe MSL, our team leadership and culture, could set him right again. All told, he has a 1st line brain, middle 6 skating, checking line physicality. To me he's a perfect 55-70pt 2C and his value has never been lower.

I'm not drooling to acquire McTavish because I think he is more of a power forward winger than a center. Skating is not good enough to be a center IMO. At least in terms of top 2C on a playoff team anyways.

This is a classic case where fans talk about buy low all the time but when the player trends lower, they pass and dwell on the players potential. You can't have it both ways. McTavish was considered untouchable around this time last year.

One year? That's all it took for fans to go from drool mode to don't touch mode? Doesn't add up to me.

 

[tazsub3]

Mctavish scares me.
questionable IQ and speed. Bad combo.

“We need playoff performers.” Trade for a player who was scratched in the playoffs?

to me mctavish is a level better then dach when we got him, but with a 7 mil contract.
no thank you

 

[sampollock]

Look at vegas
good coach and system
can roll 3 lines

MTL cant roll 3 lines line that
help incoming I hope

 

[tazsub3]

I'm not drooling to acquire McTavish because I think he is more of a power forward winger than a center. Skating is not good enough to be a center IMO. At least in terms of top 2C on a playoff team anyways.

This is a classic case where fans talk about buy low all the time but when the player trends lower, they pass and dwell on the players potential. You can't have it both ways. McTavish was considered untouchable around this time last year.

One year? That's all it took for fans to go from drool mode to don't touch mode? Doesn't add up to me.

no , not one year.
one year and a long term 7 million per contract.
i think the latter is more then one year struggle

 

[Habs Halifax]

no , not one year.
one year and a long term 7 million per contract.
i think the latter is more then one year struggle

So you think what you seen this past season is the real McTavish? You don't expect him to mature and grow from where he was at a year ago?

We have seen this many times before. The player could continue to stall or the player could get back to their potential and the contract becomes a value contract. Lets not pretend either direction happens for sure.

What's happening right now, is those fans who talk about buy low, don't have the guts to make that move.

I'm pretty sure it was McTavish Hughes was talking about. It wasn't Thomas because he said he was not asked to waive his NTC. Hischier? Do we really think Hughes is going to trade big futures for a 1.25 year rental this past TDL? Easily signs after it right? Yeah, not the type of risk/gamble I see Hughes making at this stage.

 

[windycity]

Any interest in Trouba?

 

[tazsub3]

So you think what you seen this past season is the real McTavish? You don't expect him to mature and grow from where he was at a year ago?

We have seen this many times before. The player could continue to stall or the player could get back to their potential and the contract becomes a value contract. Lets not pretend either direction happens for sure.

What's happening right now, is those fans who talk about buy low, don't have the guts to make that move.

I'm pretty sure it was McTavish Hughes was talking about. It wasn't Thomas because he said he was not asked to waive his NTC. Hischier? Do we really think Hughes is going to trade big futures for a 1.25 year rental this past TDL? Easily signs after it right? Yeah, not the type of risk/gamble I see Hughes making at this stage.

you see, i think team is beyond taking such risks.
if it was hischer, i am sure the extension part would have been part of a handshake agreement.
lets wait and see i guess

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Weber would stare down Robidas and we'd be playing zone before you know it.

 

[Habs Halifax]

you see, i think team is beyond taking such risks.
if it was hischer, i am sure the extension part would have been part of a handshake agreement.
lets wait and see i guess

That's the only way I see the Hischier connection working. Hughes was able to talk to his agent and the Devils allowed him? Seems like a reach to me at a TDL but it's possible.

Habs were in talks with the Ducks with McTavish. That we know is basically a fact last summer. Habs are after grit up front and you don't go from liking a player a lot to not liking them at all in 1 year. If we traded for McTavish last summer, we would have him on the same contract he has now. That $7M AAV is all about who he can become, not who is now and won't grow/mature.

I like adding McTavish to our top 6 as a physical winger. A winger that could help provide a little physical protection for Demidov. Move Newhook to 3rd line with Kapanen and find a 2C for Demidov and McTavish

In truth, I want a 2C for Demidov and a RD for Hutson (Good skater but size/physical types). However, I am open to adding both McTavish and Hischier and living with the D we have or going after more RD stop gap types that cost less to acquire.

Caufield / Suzuki / Slaf
McTavish / Hischier / Demidov
Newhook / Evans / Texier
Anderson / Danault / Bolduc

Hage replaces Texier. He's not being move for either of McTavish or Hischier.

McTavish for Reinbacher and Kapanen (this is buy much lower than the price last summer)

Hischier for Habs 1st, Pickford, and Dach. One year rental? What are the Devils after for a return? 1/1 hockey trade or for futures mostly?

 

[Captain Mountain]

Ticks all the boxes for me:
- improves pk
- adds solid 2C
- proper 3rd/4th line depth that hits and chips in on offense
- adds a top tier/potentially elite shot for Demidov and the PP
- significant upgrade on Carrier/Struble
- and doesn't cost us any major prospect

I mean you can disagree to a point or slight degree but if you're going to blanket ignore all improvements, small increments or not, in a single "does nothing" then I a question your sincerity of openness to discussion.

Ok, I'll be specific as you were:

- It doesn't improve the PK. Malenstyn is the only addition that actually kills penalties, and you removed far more PK minutes than you added.
- Your fondness of McTavish is well documented and I respect how much you go for bat for him, even if by eye test and stats I disagree with a lot of it (and have previously set out on these boards). I'll just say he has the potential to be a solid 2C, but that's definitely not a forgone conclusion.
-The 3rd/4th line depth actually chips in less on offense (Frost for example produces at the same to lesser rate 5v5 than Bolduc and both generate and takes more contact than Frost)
- Schneider's tools has the potential to be a significant upgrade, and potential is doing a lot of the heavy lifting, every time he's played non-sheltered minutes he's gotten killed. And Montreal needs the help on the 2nd pair more, which your roster has Reinbacher there.
- I doubt you get McTavish without giving up a major prospect, there's no reason for the Ducks to trade him without it.

I don't think its actually offers much of an improvement. It does not address the defensive issues or the pace issues, and there's a lot of hope that it will fix the 2nd line issues. I did not say it "does nothing", I said its "a lot of changes for not fixing any of the major issues." You want to sign Malenstyn? Fine. You want to gamble on McTavish? No issue if the cost isn't prohibitive and there aren't any better options. But the rest worsens the team.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Any interest in Trouba?

Yes but he probably doesn't want to play in Canada. I actually think he would be a good fit for Hutson too