Proposal: You are a rebuilding team looking to sell? Montréal has a bunch of picks for a center

[Bouboumaster]

The problem is that having too many of these young kids with dog trash veterans to “teach them how to be pros” would just turn the Isles into Chicago situation with a better goalie. Not worth it no matter who the youth is coming back. You move out the aging veterans and then see what you have with the prospects while maybe signing a couple depth pieces to short term deals. The Isles need to do what Washington did last summer, not sell off the world and hope they win the draft lottery (which they won’t because it’s the Isles).

I wish NYI success, but I don't see a bright future for them in the next 4 or 5 years, unless they adress their situation in a big way

 

[MoneyManny]

I wouldn’t say Mesar still has first round value. Mailloux does.

No one said we would be gutting our prospect pool for said player. It’s not an all-in move but rather just filling a huge hole for now and the foreseeable future.

Montreal already has 3 things that Ottawa never had until recently; A decent goalie, depth at the bottom of the line-up and a much better D corp than they had through their rebuild. Totally different situation.

Who's the decent goalie, Montembault? He's okay for rebuilding but he's definitely not the guy i want standing in front of the net during playoff series. He breaks down instantly under pressure.

The Sens D-core is much better than ours and they're a bubble team. If anything it shows we're not ready.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I think Montreal trades Evans and signs Frederic on July 1st 4+ x 5 years.

So sign a worse player to the deal the player you currently have wants to stay?

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Who's the decent goalie, Montembault? He's okay for rebuilding but he's definitely not the guy i want standing in front of the net during playoff series. He breaks down instantly under pressure.

The Sens D-core is much better than ours and they're a bubble team. If anything it shows we're not ready.

Jacob Fowler, who should be off the table.

 

[ole ole]

I think Montreal trades Evans and signs Frederic on July 1st 4+ x 5 years.

God that would be gross,

 

[ole ole]

Quoting only counting stats from an injury riddled year is disingenuous. Not one GM interested in winning wouldn’t take Barzal on their squad at his cap hit.

MTL fans have been posting trade offers for the 54 point winger the entire season. They probably all want him because he is bad and overpaid. S peaking poorly of him on a message board does nothing to diminish his real life value.

We have a winger coming next season. I wouldn't mind Barzal but i'd rather take a chance on a C.
Hey Duck fans what would be a realistic ask for McTavish?
King fans same question for Byfield.

wouldnt be a bad idea but I think it would be best to address this in the offseason if possible. try and grab that likely last top 10 pick and move forward from there

That would be the smart move.

 

[impaaaaaact]

I really like Horvat but he’s 29 turning 30 in less than 2 months. I feel like he may be a bit too old to be a real target unless we keep a guy like Hage - who could eventually take Horvat spot in 3-4 years.

That's fair. I'm one of the few isles fans that thinks it could make sense to move him for the right price, but I'd rather kickstart a retool trading our 30ish year olds than Dobson or whoever.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

That would be Plan B.
I feel like the TDL is our best option here, because the teams that will be tanking might make more players available at that point. I don't know who we could get as a free agent TBH. Plus, I'd fear we have to sign an ugly contract at this point.

I mean if a deal comes up u have to take thats different. but imagine missing out on a top 10 pick cause ur team upgraded early. I get it though if something he available might as well jump on it. especially if its a long term option

 

[Frederixx]

I’d say Horvat is on the table if Hage is.

I don't think the Canadiens would trade Hage, but Horvat would be a great fit for them IMO. He's a well rounded 2-way center that can score 30g. He won't be cheap, that's for sure.

But yeah, Laine - Horvat - Demidov could be a really nice 2nd line for the next few years.

 

[Derailed75]

Montreal should be looking to rebuild.

Why would they be giving up prospects for NHL players, they still suck and still need to build.

 

[Captain97]

So, OP wants a 1st/2nd line center for 1st round picks and B+ prospects.

Cool, so does almost every other team in the league.

I mean it's a little different. The 1st rounds picks we have are much higher.

Montreal should be looking to rebuild.

Why would they be giving up prospects for NHL players, they still suck and still need to build.

They are 3 points out of a playoff spot and our two top 5 picks aren't on the roster yet and will be next year.

It's about progressing not getting stuck for years like Buffalo/Anaheim

 

[viceroy]

2025 Calgary 1st
2026 Canadiens 1st top-5 protected
Logan Mailloux
Filip Mesar
vs
Barzal

Way too much.

Calgary 1st 2025
Habs 1st 2025
Habs 1st 2026 - unprotected
Owen Beck

for

Sidney Crosby

Nope and definitely not moving Beck.

I don't think Buffalo would be willing to enter another rebuild, but if they're to do it, might as well go for Thompson and/or Dahlin (in which case, Demidov and Reinbacher would then be on the table, for those kind of players)

Demidov? WTF? The f have Tage and Dahlin accomplished that we'd give up our prized prospect. No way no how amigo.

That line would score 100 goals and give up 140 lol

Funnily enough the rookie Demidov would be the defensively responsible guy on that line.

The Sens D-core is much better than ours and they're a bubble team.

The Sens? They've been at this re-building thing for quite a while and they're 1 pt ahead of us.

 

[Baksfamous112]

That's fair. I'm one of the few isles fans that thinks it could make sense to move him for the right price, but I'd rather kickstart a retool trading our 30ish year olds than Dobson or whoever.

Horvat could potentially make sense for Montreal but not at the expense of Hage. I’m sure there are other assets out there that could be packaged and make sense for both team though.

I mean if a deal comes up u have to take thats different. but imagine missing out on a top 10 pick cause ur team upgraded early. I get it though if something he available might as well jump on it. especially if its a long term option

I don’t think Habs need any more top 10 picks. Whatever holes they have right now can and will be filled internally eventually an if not, we have plenty of assets (picks and prospects) to fill them if necessary.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

No need to be rude lol

Plus, most of them listed will not be available



I absolutly do not agree with that

Keeping players until they're out of their prime to than sell them low, is, IMO, a waste of assets.
I'm more in the school of "selling high and ripping the band-aid as soon as posssible"

The bolded was why I answered curtly.

 

[HuGo Sham]

most of these as expected, are terrible ideas.
Montreal isn't going to give up significant, young assets
for C's that do not align with a rebuild. Hughes said as much.
So no 30 year old or 37 year old C's regardless of how good they are.

They'll look to make a hockey trade in the summer with the large amount of
trade capital and young players (particularly on D). They'll look for a young top 6 C.
If not, maybe they try and dip into FA's or try Demidov there.
They'll also give Beck a shot the rest of this season; He's looked very good in limited games at 2C.
Who knows if he can stay there. They're certainly not going to trade Hage or Demidov

 

[Galaxydoggystyle]

I really don't get why people say "just wait until so and so shows up" yeah that could take years to wait for a prospect to even get to the NHL then you are banking on them to play 2nd line center? All while the contracts on the young players the Habs have right now are ticking? by the time Hage is ready or if he really is 2nd line material we would be half way through most of these 8 year deals we have on Suzuki and them. We need the biggest window possible to compete not a short 4-3 year window then we have to resign these players to bigger contracts. We need to fill these huge holes ASAP and not wait on prospects. 2nd line C and RD needs to be filled regardless if its at the trade deadline or through free agency/trade.

 

[Guitpik]

Hey Duck fans what would be a realistic ask for McTavish?
King fans same question for Byfield.

Regarding Byfield, the Habs have certain players who are off the table. So do the Kings, and Byfield is one of them.

 

[pth2]

most of these as expected, are terrible ideas.
Montreal isn't going to give up significant, young assets
for C's that do not align with a rebuild. Hughes said as much.
So no 30 year old or 37 year old C's regardless of how good they are.

They'll look to make a hockey trade in the summer with the large amount of
trade capital and young players (particularly on D). They'll look for a young top 6 C.
If not, maybe they try and dip into FA's or try Demidov there.
They'll also give Beck a shot the rest of this season; He's looked very good in limited games at 2C.
Who knows if he can stay there. They're certainly not going to trade Hage or Demidov

Yup.
I'm expecting CGY 1st and Mailloux, perhaps with another prospect (Farrell or Roy?) for a 25 year old top 6 F, from.a team needing a shakeup.

I'm not thrilled at the thought since MTL's pro scouting hasn't been great (ie, Barron, Dach, Newhook haven't been worth the acquisition costs)

 

[Weltschmerz]

Yup.
I'm expecting CGY 1st and Mailloux, perhaps with another prospect (Farrell or Roy?) for a 25 year old top 6 F, from.a team needing a shakeup.

I'm not thrilled at the thought since MTL's pro scouting hasn't been great (ie, Barron, Dach, Newhook haven't been worth the acquisition costs)

That’s not a scouting problem, why would anyone sell a young forward for futures unless there are issues. If someone like that becomes available you can take a chance and hab’s did that.

 

[pth2]

That’s not a scouting problem, why would anyone sell a young forward for futures unless there are issues. If someone like that becomes available you can take a chance and hab’s did that.

In Newhook's case, it was a cap issue.

Barron was a trade for an immediately useful player.

Dach... well the Blackhawks sold off other young players, too. (Debrincat)

But if you trade for players and they don't work out, what is it if it isn't a scouting issue ?!?

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Horvat could potentially make sense for Montreal but not at the expense of Hage. I’m sure there are other assets out there that could be packaged and make sense for both team though.

I don’t think Habs need any more top 10 picks. Whatever holes they have right now can and will be filled internally eventually an if not, we have plenty of assets (picks and prospects) to fill them if necessary.

can never have enough top 10 picks fill those holes in the offseason

 

[NotNotALeafsFan]

Way too much.



Nope and definitely not moving Beck.



Demidov? WTF? The f have Tage and Dahlin accomplished that we'd give up our prized prospect. No way no how amigo.



Funnily enough the rookie Demidov would be the defensively responsible guy on that line.



The Sens? They've been at this re-building thing for quite a while and they're 1 pt ahead of us.

Lmao hold on a second… can you clarify the “what have Tage & Dahlin accomplished to be worth Demidov?” quote? Tage had 94 points as a 25 year old. Dahlin is just a beast. When I look at Demidov’s NHL line, I see zeroes across the board. What has Demidov done in the NHL to be worth Tage or Dahlin?

 

[Lockin17]

most of these as expected, are terrible ideas.
Montreal isn't going to give up significant, young assets
for C's that do not align with a rebuild. Hughes said as much.
So no 30 year old or 37 year old C's regardless of how good they are.

They'll look to make a hockey trade in the summer with the large amount of
trade capital and young players (particularly on D). They'll look for a young top 6 C.
If not, maybe they try and dip into FA's or try Demidov there.
They'll also give Beck a shot the rest of this season; He's looked very good in limited games at 2C.
Who knows if he can stay there. They're certainly not going to trade Hage or Demidov

For someone like Byfield, Hage could be on the table for sure.

I would do :
MTL : Hage + Matheson + Evans
for
LA : Byfield

Down the middle for LA
Kopitar
Danault
Evans

On D that line could be great for LA
Matheson - Gavrikov