Speculation: Who should be the Habs target for 2nd Center?

[vokiel]

Zacha?

Not available?

 

[OpenShutt]

Zacha?

Obviously it all depends on the what they ask for, but he’s a good player, not a great player. So I’d be hesitant to give up major assets.

But if you can get him for less….

 

[Runner77]

As a very outside the box dark horse

Eetu Luostarinen

6’ 3” left shot, UFA after this coming season that Panthers probably can’t afford to resign and he’s a luxury for them with their C depth. Once Barkov is back he goes to the wing.

He was a beast in last years playoffs with 19 pts in 23 GP and has more upside than he’s shown.

Would need to be an extension in place but Kaoanen going the other way would give Panthers a cheaper cost controlled option for their 3rd line. Buys time to see if Hage is a longer term solution.

Where do you keep finding these guys?

He’s the classic hidden (or somewhat hidden) gem.

The Forecaster:

“He is a good two-way center who skates well, is coachable and has good hockey sense. He was never a big goal scorer …”

I think it’s high time to land more than one candidate. If Eetu Brute is not too expensive to acquire, why not add a 2nd lefty center?

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think it would be ideal to get a player who is underperforming on a weaker team, that's how you get the best bang for your buck.

If Peterson joins, he might not even play though on the PP1 lol. And McTavish is too slow, don't want to touch that guy, we need speedy physical wingers right now. Honestly we don't have time for more projects, they have to be almost sure bets.

If HuGo think that Peterson's injury issues will not hinder him in the future and his production decrease comes from a defensive coach like Tocchet who skill players don't do well under, and an inexperienced coach like Foote, then it could be a decent gamble

I respect this angle. For me, I'm just board and exploring options. These are interesting times. Stay put or make moves. Or wait for a really big fish to become available. I do understand the risks/rewards with McTavish and EP40. Those are not sure shot adds and it's valid. With EP40, if he gets traded and to another team, I do feel Habs fans might start to say... dam, we should have added him. Zegras situation on a new team but better. There is massive rebound potential with EP40 on a better team but the risks are there as well.

I really thought the Pens would drown last season but they started well and snuck in. I got the same mentality heading into this season and now Crosby will be a pending UFA. Do they extend? If they don't and he is still a pending UFA at the TDL, this could end up happening.. maybe

 

[Habs Halifax]

Man I would have to possess deep intel on Petterson to consider him. You know, a locker room source. Like multiple red flags.

I doubt Gorton/Hughes/MSL have this as an option but you never know. For me, it's pondering thoughts because we should do due diligence.

Getting him in the $8M-$9M range ($2.6M or 3.6M retention for 6 years for the Canucks) is something that is a hard line for the Habs to take but if they are open to it, we should engage a bit more IMO.

All it could take is permission for Gorton/Hughes/MSL to have a conversation with Pettersson and his agent on how he feels about joining the Habs. I'm sure they can ask a few critical questions (kind of like the draft) and get information.

All I am going to say is it's not an automatic no for me. I really do feel the flaws and flags on EP40 has taken on a storm and remember, he is on a island drowning by himself. On a better team with talent, this could turn into a steal (or not..haha).

I had a little game of worse case situation with several fans on the main boards. I feel we get 60-80 pts from him at a min. Fans were talking about lack of PP1 time as reasons he can put up those numbers. Well, Dobson as a D man with very little PP1 time got 47 pts. Habs scored the most even strength goals last year. I find it funny where fans think he goes backwards in production from the Canucks to the Habs who have loads of talent for him to work with. Pettersson and Demidov? Come on guys. That would probably be our best offensive 5/5 line. The Suzuki line gets more 50/50 even splits on offense and defense. Then a fan tried to say... you going to play Caufield and Slaf in more defensive zone converage? NO, they did that last year idiot. Caufield and Slaf both got around 45% offensive zone starts at 5/5.

 

[yianik]

I doubt Gorton/Hughes/MSL have this as an option but you never know. For me, it's pondering thoughts because we should do due diligence.

Getting him in the $8M-$9M range ($2.6M or 3.6M retention for 6 years for the Canucks) is something that is a hard line for the Habs to take but if they are open to it, we should engage a bit more IMO.

All it could take is permission for Gorton/Hughes/MSL to have a conversation with Pettersson and his agent on how he feels about joining the Habs. I'm sure they can ask a few critical questions (kind of like the draft) and get information.

All I am going to say is it's not an automatic no for me. I really do feel the flaws and flags on EP40 has taken on a storm and remember, he is on a island drowning by himself. On a better team with talent, this could turn into a steal (or not..haha).

Sure, Im just saying if we were targeting Hischier you do due diligence but probably dont neednto go deep, EP40 I have more questions.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Sure, Im just saying if we were targeting Hischier you do due diligence but probably dont neednto go deep, EP40 I have more questions.

Absolutely! We don't trade for EP40 blindly. Due diligence (lots of it) would be required. Heck, our management can even ask Suzuki what he thinks about that. I would trust Suzuki comments on how he feels about it for sure.

I'm not the type to "target" a player the Devils are probably extending. There is zero news on Hischier and the Devils separation. That is media and fan generated. His next deal from age 29-36 is going to be in the $10-12M range (starting cap of $114M and all UFA seasons). Do we really think the Devils are going to move him and create a 2C hole?

Thomas could be available if you give the Blues pry away value which is a crazy offer.

Crosby at the TDL might be the highest probability.

 

[yianik]

Absolutely! We don't trade for EP40 blindly. Due diligence (lots of it) would be required. Heck, our management can even ask Suzuki what he thinks about that. I would trust Suzuki comments on how he feels about it for sure.

I'm not the type to "target" a player the Devils are probably extending. There is zero news on Hischier and the Devils separation. That is media and fan generated. His next deal from age 29-36 is going to be in the $10-12M range (starting cap of $114M and all UFA seasons). Do we really think the Devils are going to move him and create a 2C hole?

Thomas could be available if you give the Blues pry away value which is a crazy offer.

Crosby at the TDL might be the highest probability.

Well targeting, " kicking tires on" , checking in on, all the same to me.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Well targeting, " kicking tires on" , checking in on, all the same to me.

I'll talk about Hischier when the creditable rumors come out. I don't see the Devils moving him out and creating a 2C hole. They probably want him around $9M and he is asking for 10-12 range. Normal stuff

If he wants out, that is center that fits. He's not that gritty but then again, what centers are gritty? Most hold their own physically. Not many Drai type of centers out there.

 

[yianik]

I'll talk about Hischier when the creditable rumors come out. I don't see the Devils moving him out and creating a 2C hole. They probably want him around $9M and he is asking for 10-12 range. Normal stuff

If he wants out, that is center that fits. He's not that gritty but then again, what centers are gritty? Most hold their own physically. Not many Drai type of centers out there.

Very very few gritty centers that put up points.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Very very few gritty centers that put up points.

Posted this yesterday in the Habs/Canucks trade thread. Interesting stuff. What other stats can we did into to evaluate the gritty intangible areas?

What is kind of surprising is Thomas's Hits, Blocks, Giveaways. He's lower ranked in those areas. That giveaway/60 number is high.

EP40:
* 0.93 pts/game over 545 games
* 19:08 TOI/GP (Last 3 seasons)
* 48.3 FOW% (Last 3 seasons)
* 3.79 Hits/60 (Last 3 seasons)
* 3.60 Blocks/60 (Last 3 seasons)
* 2.03 Giveaways/60 (last 3 seasons)
* 1.46 Takeaways/60 (Last 3 seasons)

Thomas:
* 0.87 pts/game over 530 games
* 20:04 TOI/GP (Last 3 seasons)
* 53.5 FOW% (Last 3 seasons)
* 0.54 Hits/60 (Last 3 seasons)
* 1.86 Blocks/60 (Last 3 seasons)
* 3.44 Giveaways/60 (last 3 seasons)
* 1.70 Takeaways/60 (Last 3 seasons)

Hischier:
* 0.80 pts/game over 609 games
* 20:13 TOI/GP (Last 3 seasons)
* 55.9 FOW% (Last 3 seasons)
* 1.89 Hits/60 (Last 3 seasons)
* 2.13 Blocks/60 (Last 3 seasons)
* 1.99 Giveaways/60 (last 3 seasons)
* 1.37 Takeaways/60 (Last 3 seasons)

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Just want to correct this, HuGo are willing and have definitely shown interest in older players like Kadri and Crosby. They would 100% go for Crosby if he ever decides to leave.

And the Habs gave been willing to take on projects in the past but I can pretty much guarantee you they won't be trading for another one at this stage of the rebuild (unless they have to give up nothing significant for it), they've even said so. McTavish is very unlikely to join the Habs unless they are very confident he will become what they think.

2 years of Crosby (I guess 2 years before he retires) doesn't garanty Habs areb winning the Cup. That being said, a big name like him means Habs will give someone like Hage or Zharowsky. Both of them have 18 years of career coming. Unless Pens ask for Kapanen or Beck and few picks later than a first and I doubt they wil accept. Many teams will target Crosby if he's available. To me Crosby is a big forget him. And for Kadri, he's not getting any younger, he's not half the player he used to be, another forget him in my book.

To be honest, those big names well past the age of 35 are big forget them in my book. They are big names that are filling pages if threads and very popular in discussions of Marinaro and other sports podcast of the web.

Let's concentrate on younger centrers including top defensive centers that can be usefull in the PO. 31 teams are a vast territory with plenty of potential for centers.

 

[Habs Halifax]

2 years of Crosby (I guess 2 years before he retires) doesn't garanty Habs areb winning the Cup. That being said, a big name like him means Habs will give someone like Hage or Zharowsky. Both of them have 18 years of career coming. Unless Pens ask for Kapanen or Beck and few picks later than a first and I doubt they wil accept. Many teams will target Crosby if he's available. To me Crosby is a big forget him. And for Kadri, he's not getting any younger, he's not half the player he used to be, another forget him in my book.

To be honest, those big names well past the age of 35 are big forget them in my book. They are big names that are filling pages if threads and very popular in discussions of Marinaro and other sports podcast of the web.

Let's concentrate on younger centrers including top defensive centers that can be usefull in the PO. 31 teams are a vast territory with plenty of potential for centers.

Crosby as a TDL rental is a 1st and two B+ prospect. Remember, he has a NMC and it's going to be limited to 1-3 teams. All you got to do is trump what the Avs can offer.

Sorry but the 1st and Grade A in the same trade is rare, very rare! Hage and Zharovsky are not being moved for a rental. I'd rethink that one

Go look up what P Kane returned to the Hawks. What did the Kings pay for Panarin?

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

Crosby as a TDL rental is a 1st and two B+ prospect. Remember, he has a NMC and it's going to be limited to 1-3 teams. All you got to do is trump what the Avs can offer.

Sorry but the 1st and Grade A in the same trade is rare, very rare! Hage and Zharovsky are not being moved for a rental. I'd rethink that one

Go look up what P Kane returned to the Hawks. What did the Kings pay for Panarin?

These players did help winning something in the PO? Don't forget that PO are 4 rounds not just 1 or 2. They have the stamina for 4 rounds?

 

[Gaud]

Players

• Pettersson: High upside offensively, but risky (leadership and playoffs worries, recent drop). Question is whether a change of scenery fixes it.
• Thomas: Producing well, but costly. Depends if St. Louis is actually rebuilding.
• Hischier: Likely the most expensive. Strong two-way, low-risk, complete player.
• Trocheck: Reliable all-around, brings physicality. Older—more of a short-term stopgap.

Key considerations

• 2C profile: Go offensive (Pettersson) to complement Suzuki/Evans/Danault, or stay with a strong two-way model (Hischier)?
• Risk tolerance: Pettersson likely cheaper, but riskier.
• Hage evaluation and timeline: Trocheck fits as a short-term bridge if Hage becomes 2C soon.

 

[Wats]

Players

• Pettersson: High upside offensively, but risky (leadership and playoffs worries, recent drop). Question is whether a change of scenery fixes it.
• Thomas: Producing well, but costly. Depends if St. Louis is actually rebuilding.
• Hischier: Likely the most expensive. Strong two-way, low-risk, complete player.
• Trocheck: Reliable all-around, brings physicality. Older—more of a short-term stopgap.

Key considerations

• 2C profile: Go offensive (Pettersson) to complement Suzuki/Evans/Danault, or stay with a strong two-way model (Hischier)?
• Risk tolerance: Pettersson likely cheaper, but riskier.
• Hage evaluation and timeline: Trocheck fits as a short-term bridge if Hage becomes 2C soon.

I think you're underestimating Pettersson defensively. He kills a lot of penalties and plays a lot of DZone starts.

 

[Theodore450]

I think EP40 would thrive here. Hes legit and flanked bya strong winger like demidov, it could be an elite line.

 

[Habs Halifax]

These players did help winning something in the PO? Don't forget that PO are 4 rounds not just 1 or 2. They have the stamina for 4 rounds?

I'm just talking about the NMC factor and Crosby probably falls in line with Kane and Panarin type returns. This is not some bidding war where 5-10 teams are in on him. Crosby likely only opens up to the Avs and Habs and hard to say who else.

That context matters and it's a pure rental trade (if he is traded). I'm curious about what the Pens and Crosby do this season and if they talk extension this season or they decide the path is different for both sides.

Crosby is a tank and kind of like Jagr. I think he's playing for 3+ more years to be honest. Imagine Crosby on our roster where he does not have to lead and gets to play with Demidov?

 

[ExpatHabs]

Mark Schiefele would be a crazy good pickup if the Jets are blowing it up

Dach + Hage + Engstrom + 1st round pick for the big C with 5 years left at 8.5m

 

[malcb33]

Mark Schiefele would be a crazy good pickup if the Jets are blowing it up

Dach + Hage + Engstrom + 1st round pick for the big C with 5 years left at 8.5m

The only way I see that happening if Hellebuyck wants out...

 

[ExpatHabs]

The only way I see that happening if Hellebuyck wants out...

Yes that's the predicate

WPG is strongly inclined to not rebuild because of their market conditions but it's nice to fantasize

 

[Gaud]

I think you're underestimating Pettersson defensively. He kills a lot of penalties and plays a lot of DZone starts.

Fair, i only see the occasional game with him and see what fans write here. I'd still put Hischier over him in this regard though. Suzuki lite

 

[Bolduc of Hazzard]

Tomas Hertl could be a good option assuming we can't add any of the top guys as Vegas needs to clear cap space. Likes to shoot the puck which would fit well with Demi, has good size, is physical, great on faceoffs and can put up 50-60 points.

And has a knee that everyone knows will one day explode. If Vegas is moving him? It's because they know it's about to.

 

[Xirik]

NHL rumblings: Pavelski on Leafs talks, how Raddysh got done, latest on Thomas, Zacha, Ovechkin, more

 

[vokiel]

I think EP40 would thrive here. Hes legit and flanked bya strong winger like demidov, it could be an elite line.

It's not if it works out that worries people, it's if it doesn't...