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Post by BigTed3 on Feb 8, 2024 1:49:39 GMT
On a separate note, Sergachev returned from injury tonight and took a reverse hit from Lafreniere that ended up causing him to hurt his left leg. It kind of got caught and buckled underneath him in a bit of a twist. Wouldn't be surprised if he tore his MCL and maybe damaged other stuff in his knee too (meniscus? ACL?). I guess we'll see, but that could easily be a 4-6 month recovery. If it is, the Lightning will have to decide if they're going to try and stay competitive this year. Given how many older players they have in their core, they'd almost have to. They also might have just added 8.5M in cap space to be able to help, though the problem is that they've already given away many of their upcoming top picks, and they haven't drafted a lot of top prospects lately either.
All that to say, Mike Matheson would probably be as good a fit as is available to help fill that void. He's relatively cheap for a top-pairing guy and he fits the age bracket of the core they've put together. What would I be asking for in return? The following package:
1. The TB 2026 1st rounder, unprotected. TB has no 1st left in 2024 or 2025, so this is the next one available. If you're making me wait three drafts to get it, I'm not risking deferring that another year with conditions on it, so it's included without protection. The downside is the wait here. The upside is that TB may well be a bottom 3 team in our division by then and that pick could be a lottery choice.
2. Tampa's pick of Issac Howard or Ethan Gauthier. I liked both these guys in their drafts years, and Howard was one of the guys I would have potentially chosen over Mesar (though, as I've stated before, I would have chosen Hutson over both of them). Gauthier has the advantages of being a Quebecer and being a right winger, where we may be even thinner than left. That said, I'd take either of these players.
3. Another asset, such as TB's 2025 3rd rounder.
Steep price? Maybe. But that's the cost of getting my #1 D man and keeping him in the division, and that's the price of trying to keep your season alive when your best players are all close to or over 30.
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Post by BigTed3 on Feb 8, 2024 2:01:01 GMT
That's what I think too. The fact is that we don't really need more low-end assets, we need quality. But the guys who are going to bring that back are not rentals, so I see more room for movement around the draft. Maybe then we see the likes of Xhekaj, Matheson, Savard, Guhle, Anderson, Armia, Evans, etc. put out there to see what they can bring back. There's a small chance we see a guy with another year of term move this deadline (Savard, Armia, Evans, etc.), but I don't think Hughes is wasting a retention spot on moving a depth player where the return won't move the needle, so to me, it's either retention on an expiring contract like Pearson right up against the wire because we may as well use it and had nothing else to use it on or it's retention on one of Savard or Allen because it improves the return significantly and brings back a 2nd rounder or better. Ultimately, I think Hughes' efforts will be on moving Pearson for whatever the best offer is, since there's no purpose in keeping him and in trying to find a home for Jake Allen, mostly because we don't have the capacity to keep three goalies going forever. But we're not getting a great return for those guys. I think he'll see what's out there for Savard. I think he'll see if he can generate some interest in Armia. And I also wonder if he surprises us and moves someone like Harris or Kovacevic in order to clear some roster space out. We've all heard rumors that Hutson, Engstrom, and Reinbacher could all sign and be eligible to join the Habs or the Rocket this season, and a decision will need to be made on Luke Tuch too. Beck and maybe Mesar likely don't sign in-season this year given the Memorial Cup, but there could be a need for roster spots on D and there could be a need for contract spots in the organization. I think we're already up to that 50-contract limit with the Gignac signing, so there's no room to add the likes of Hutson and Reinbacher unless we move some bodies out for picks or unsigned prospects.
Aren't we at 45? And is Beck not signed yet?
Actually don't know how many we're officially at, just that multiple reporters said we needed to trade Monahan to be able to offer a contract to Gignac. They made it sound like we were right at the limit. There are at least 45 players counted, but that doesn't include Beck, Mesar, or Reinbacher to my knowledge. So if they all come up, that's at least 48 (and yes, Beck is signed but I don't think his contract has officially started and definitely doesn't count towards our limit unless he finishes his junior career; ditto Mesar). Then add in Hutson, Engstrom, Tuch, Guindon, Davidson, Kapanen, Rohrer, etc. who aren't officially in our 50 yet. I think it'll be pretty tight even if we're not there yet.
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Post by electron58 on Feb 8, 2024 7:08:04 GMT
Aren't we at 45? And is Beck not signed yet?
Actually don't know how many we're officially at, just that multiple reporters said we needed to trade Monahan to be able to offer a contract to Gignac. They made it sound like we were right at the limit. There are at least 45 players counted, but that doesn't include Beck, Mesar, or Reinbacher to my knowledge. So if they all come up, that's at least 48 (and yes, Beck is signed but I don't think his contract has officially started and definitely doesn't count towards our limit unless he finishes his junior career; ditto Mesar). Then add in Hutson, Engstrom, Tuch, Guindon, Davidson, Kapanen, Rohrer, etc. who aren't officially in our 50 yet. I think it'll be pretty tight even if we're not there yet.
I count 43 and that includes Beck, Mesar & Reinbacher. I'm assuming the missing 2 are Petry & Edmundson? 5 UFA on July 1, 2024, & 6 RFA. So realistically we are in good shape. with 7 possible players that would need to be offered a contract by June 1, 2024 or August 15, 2024. At least that is what I've surmised.
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Post by egee53 on Feb 8, 2024 13:59:28 GMT
According to Cap Friendly, Habs are at 45, not including Beck, Mesar, Reinbacher, Hutson, etc .... Petry, Eddy,and Alzner do not count against the total, as they are salary retained or buyout.
Having said that, we will see anywhere from 5 to 10 contracts coming off the books at the end of the season.
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Post by claremont on Feb 8, 2024 14:55:38 GMT
According to Cap Friendly, Habs are at 45, not including Beck, Mesar, Reinbacher, Hutson, etc .... Petry, Eddy,and Alzner do not count against the total, as they are salary retained or buyout. Having said that, we will see anywhere from 5 to 10 contracts coming off the books at the end of the season. Agree on your mathematics. I would take our current 45 count and deduct the following players who are unlikely to be with us next year; Pearson (traded), Wideman, One of our 3 goalies (trade), Cederqvist, Maillet, Stephens and Keeper unlikely to be renewed = 38, add back junior contracts Mesar, Beck and Reinbacher loan brings us to 41. Then I believe Norlinder and Legare are unlikely to be extended equals 39, and who knows on RFA Lias Andersson? 39 is a safe starting number and then add Hutson, Engstrom, Tuch if we can sign him as he can play out the NCAA card 30 days after his college career ends and become a UFA. Oliver Kapanen and Vincent Rohrer are question marks for me on worthiness (wasted 2nd rd and 3rd round picks). Guindon a 4th round pick at centre is another question mark but we need some bodies in Laval, so he probably gets signed as does Florian Xhekaj. Then you have this year's draft and although most of those players will return to junior or be loaned to their Euro clubs, it won't increase the official contract # significantly. My conclusion is we have plenty of contract room and it won't be tight at all. Indeed with the # of young players jockeying for ice time in Laval etc., HuGo could easily throw in a roster player or one of our prospects to move up or down in the entry draft.
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Post by maasart on Feb 8, 2024 19:27:03 GMT
On a separate note, Sergachev returned from injury tonight and took a reverse hit from Lafreniere that ended up causing him to hurt his left leg. It kind of got caught and buckled underneath him in a bit of a twist. Wouldn't be surprised if he tore his MCL and maybe damaged other stuff in his knee too (meniscus? ACL?). I guess we'll see, but that could easily be a 4-6 month recovery. If it is, the Lightning will have to decide if they're going to try and stay competitive this year. Given how many older players they have in their core, they'd almost have to. They also might have just added 8.5M in cap space to be able to help, though the problem is that they've already given away many of their upcoming top picks, and they haven't drafted a lot of top prospects lately either. All that to say, Mike Matheson would probably be as good a fit as is available to help fill that void. He's relatively cheap for a top-pairing guy and he fits the age bracket of the core they've put together. What would I be asking for in return? The following package: 1. The TB 2026 1st rounder, unprotected. TB has no 1st left in 2024 or 2025, so this is the next one available. If you're making me wait three drafts to get it, I'm not risking deferring that another year with conditions on it, so it's included without protection. The downside is the wait here. The upside is that TB may well be a bottom 3 team in our division by then and that pick could be a lottery choice. 2. Tampa's pick of Issac Howard or Ethan Gauthier. I liked both these guys in their drafts years, and Howard was one of the guys I would have potentially chosen over Mesar (though, as I've stated before, I would have chosen Hutson over both of them). Gauthier has the advantages of being a Quebecer and being a right winger, where we may be even thinner than left. That said, I'd take either of these players. 3. Another asset, such as TB's 2025 3rd rounder. Steep price? Maybe. But that's the cost of getting my #1 D man and keeping him in the division, and that's the price of trying to keep your season alive when your best players are all close to or over 30. Honestly, this doesnt sound steep at all. TB may not pay it but i guarantee some other GM would - maybe even more. Matheson is 29, has 36 points in 50 games, is top 10 in defensman scoring in the league has a cap hit of $4.8m and is signed for 2 more years. That is almost the perfect defensman for most teams to acquire. He's a top pairing offensive defensman on nearly every team in the league & is still affordable if you're deep enough to play him on your second pair. Honestly the bare minimum you would expect is a haul like we got for Pacioretty: Blue chip prospect, Draft pick (In this case I think 1st is warranted) and a middle six roster player. Unless Hughes gets offered that, Matheson stays at least 1 more year imho. Of all the players we may trade in the next year or two, he's likely the guy with the most value.
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Post by BigTed3 on Feb 8, 2024 20:24:38 GMT
On a separate note, Sergachev returned from injury tonight and took a reverse hit from Lafreniere that ended up causing him to hurt his left leg. It kind of got caught and buckled underneath him in a bit of a twist. Wouldn't be surprised if he tore his MCL and maybe damaged other stuff in his knee too (meniscus? ACL?). I guess we'll see, but that could easily be a 4-6 month recovery. If it is, the Lightning will have to decide if they're going to try and stay competitive this year. Given how many older players they have in their core, they'd almost have to. They also might have just added 8.5M in cap space to be able to help, though the problem is that they've already given away many of their upcoming top picks, and they haven't drafted a lot of top prospects lately either. All that to say, Mike Matheson would probably be as good a fit as is available to help fill that void. He's relatively cheap for a top-pairing guy and he fits the age bracket of the core they've put together. What would I be asking for in return? The following package: 1. The TB 2026 1st rounder, unprotected. TB has no 1st left in 2024 or 2025, so this is the next one available. If you're making me wait three drafts to get it, I'm not risking deferring that another year with conditions on it, so it's included without protection. The downside is the wait here. The upside is that TB may well be a bottom 3 team in our division by then and that pick could be a lottery choice. 2. Tampa's pick of Issac Howard or Ethan Gauthier. I liked both these guys in their drafts years, and Howard was one of the guys I would have potentially chosen over Mesar (though, as I've stated before, I would have chosen Hutson over both of them). Gauthier has the advantages of being a Quebecer and being a right winger, where we may be even thinner than left. That said, I'd take either of these players. 3. Another asset, such as TB's 2025 3rd rounder. Steep price? Maybe. But that's the cost of getting my #1 D man and keeping him in the division, and that's the price of trying to keep your season alive when your best players are all close to or over 30. Honestly, this doesnt sound steep at all. TB may not pay it but i guarantee some other GM would - maybe even more. Matheson is 29, has 36 points in 50 games, is top 10 in defensman scoring in the league has a cap hit of $4.8m and is signed for 2 more years. That is almost the perfect defensman for most teams to acquire. He's a top pairing offensive defensman on nearly every team in the league & is still affordable if you're deep enough to play him on your second pair. Honestly the bare minimum you would expect is a haul like we got for Pacioretty: Blue chip prospect, Draft pick (In this case I think 1st is warranted) and a middle six roster player. Unless Hughes gets offered that, Matheson stays at least 1 more year imho. Of all the players we may trade in the next year or two, he's likely the guy with the most value.
I think it's a reasonable ask, just saying that some GMs might view that as steep. The unprotected part on a 1st can really throw GMs off. But I agree, his value should be high if he's available, and there's nothing that compels us to rush a trade.
As for value, I wonder I wonder if Guhle has more or less than Matheson and even Xhekaj... younger players, less proven, but cheaper and with more potential to improve and they stay under team control for more years. Something's got to give at LHD regardless of who it is who goes.
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Post by maasart on Feb 8, 2024 21:08:10 GMT
Honestly, this doesnt sound steep at all. TB may not pay it but i guarantee some other GM would - maybe even more. Matheson is 29, has 36 points in 50 games, is top 10 in defensman scoring in the league has a cap hit of $4.8m and is signed for 2 more years. That is almost the perfect defensman for most teams to acquire. He's a top pairing offensive defensman on nearly every team in the league & is still affordable if you're deep enough to play him on your second pair. Honestly the bare minimum you would expect is a haul like we got for Pacioretty: Blue chip prospect, Draft pick (In this case I think 1st is warranted) and a middle six roster player. Unless Hughes gets offered that, Matheson stays at least 1 more year imho. Of all the players we may trade in the next year or two, he's likely the guy with the most value.
I think it's a reasonable ask, just saying that some GMs might view that as steep. The unprotected part on a 1st can really throw GMs off. But I agree, his value should be high if he's available, and there's nothing that compels us to rush a trade.
As for value, I wonder I wonder if Guhle has more or less than Matheson and even Xhekaj... younger players, less proven, but cheaper and with more potential to improve and they stay under team control for more years. Something's got to give at LHD regardless of who it is who goes.
I think its tough to say how our dmen would rank in terms of value because, obviously a competitive team will give up different stuff than a rebuilding one. A guy like Guhle may have more interest for a team thats just coming into its own but a team like TB or Toronto - or even Edmonton - may need to break some stuff up in a year or two so a guy like Matheson fits them perfectly. A team like Anaheim for sure gives up more for Guhle than Matheson though imho. If i had to rank our LHD from a trade perspective i think it would likely be: Matheson Guhle Hutson Struble Xhekaj Harris I think some GMs may value a guy like Xhekaj over Struble for example and some GMs would take a proven Dman over Hutson but i think thats pretty much where most rival groups would rank them. We've talked about this before and agree: you're not getting a top prospect for Harris or Xhekaj or even Struble... but you might get one for Guhle. You should get one for Matheson. I still have this nagging feeling like Hughes may try trading Hutson. I think they like him but the fact they took Mesar and Beck before him (if you remember, you and I at the draft were both calling for them to take him with our last 1st and early 2nd) makes me think they really like his skill but worry about his size. Maybe with Hughes doing so well that has changed (and the rest of our young D corps are pretty much monsters) but i worry we may move him before he's had a chance on our roster. I hope im wrong.
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Post by electron58 on Feb 9, 2024 1:55:35 GMT
According to Cap Friendly, Habs are at 45, not including Beck, Mesar, Reinbacher, Hutson, etc .... Petry, Eddy,and Alzner do not count against the total, as they are salary retained or buyout. Having said that, we will see anywhere from 5 to 10 contracts coming off the books at the end of the season. Actually, that is where I got my info. Where did I miscount? I realize the 3 need not be included, but I had to include them to get to the 45. I thought Petry & Eddy did count. I know Alzner does not. So if those 5 don't count who takes their place? To get to the 45 which I know as for sure of the 50.🤔
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Post by BigTed3 on Feb 9, 2024 2:04:09 GMT
According to Cap Friendly, Habs are at 45, not including Beck, Mesar, Reinbacher, Hutson, etc .... Petry, Eddy,and Alzner do not count against the total, as they are salary retained or buyout. Having said that, we will see anywhere from 5 to 10 contracts coming off the books at the end of the season. Actually, that is where I got my info. Where did I miscount? I realize the 3 need not be included, but I had to include them to get to the 45. I thought Petry & Eddy did count. I know Alzner does not. So if those 5 don't count who takes their place? To get to the 45 which I know as for sure of the 50.🤔 So far as I can count on capfriendly:
- 13F on active roster - 7D on active roster - 3G on active roster - Dvorak, Dach, Wideman, Price, and Newhook on IR
That brings us to 28 contracts with the NHL team. Eddy, Petry, and Alzner do not count.
- 13F, 6D, and 1G with professional contracts, but Beck, Mesar, and Reinbacher are excluded from the 50 limit, so 17 minor leaguers. Brings us to 45 total, but will be 48 if Reinbacher, Mesar, and Beck join us, and then 50 if Hutson and Tuch turn pro and sign contracts before the end of the season. Then possibly Engstrom rumored to be coming over too. So could be tight by year's end, depending on how many guys finish seasons early and move to the pros.
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Post by BigTed3 on Feb 9, 2024 2:07:43 GMT
According to Cap Friendly, Habs are at 45, not including Beck, Mesar, Reinbacher, Hutson, etc .... Petry, Eddy,and Alzner do not count against the total, as they are salary retained or buyout. Having said that, we will see anywhere from 5 to 10 contracts coming off the books at the end of the season. Actually, that is where I got my info. Where did I miscount? I realize the 3 need not be included, but I had to include them to get to the 45. I thought Petry & Eddy did count. I know Alzner does not. So if those 5 don't count who takes their place? To get to the 45 which I know as for sure of the 50.🤔 I think Xhekaj's value is high. GMs love size and toughness, so I think they'd pay more for Xhekaj than Hutson right now. If Romanov netted a 13th overall pick for us, I'd have to think Xhekaj is viewed as more valuable and with more potential to grow. Romanov was having trouble getting minutes under Ducharme so no different than what Xhekaj is facing now. But Xhekaj is bigger, meaner, and a better fighter. Differences in offence are pretty negligible, though X has had some PP time in the NHL whereas Romanov got PP time in Russia but didn't feature here. I'd wonder if Xhekaj might not fetch us a top 10 pick if we traded him at the draft... there are going to be teams who I think might value him more than a Catton, Helenius, Connelly, Buium, etc.
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Post by electron58 on Feb 9, 2024 2:10:01 GMT
Actually, that is where I got my info. Where did I miscount? I realize the 3 need not be included, but I had to include them to get to the 45. I thought Petry & Eddy did count. I know Alzner does not. So if those 5 don't count who takes their place? To get to the 45 which I know as for sure of the 50.🤔 I think Xhekaj's value is high. GMs love size and toughness, so I think they'd pay more for Xhekaj than Hutson right now. If Romanov netted a 13th overall pick for us, I'd have to think Xhekaj is viewed as more valuable and with more potential to grow. Romanov was having trouble getting minutes under Ducharme so no different than what Xhekaj is facing now. But Xhekaj is bigger, meaner, and a better fighter. Differences in offence are pretty negligible, though X has had some PP time in the NHL whereas Romanov got PP time in Russia but didn't feature here. I'd wonder if Xhekaj might not fetch us a top 10 pick if we traded him at the draft... there are going to be teams who I think might value him more than a Catton, Helenius, Connelly, Buium, etc. ?
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Post by electron58 on Feb 9, 2024 2:14:53 GMT
Actually, that is where I got my info. Where did I miscount? I realize the 3 need not be included, but I had to include them to get to the 45. I thought Petry & Eddy did count. I know Alzner does not. So if those 5 don't count who takes their place? To get to the 45 which I know as for sure of the 50.🤔 So far as I can count on capfriendly:
- 13F on active roster - 7D on active roster - 3G on active roster - Dvorak, Dach, Wideman, Price, and Newhook on IR
That brings us to 28 contracts with the NHL team. Eddy, Petry, and Alzner do not count.
- 13F, 6D, and 1G with professional contracts, but Beck, Mesar, and Reinbacher are excluded from the 50 limit, so 17 minor leaguers. Brings us to 45 total, but will be 48 if Reinbacher, Mesar, and Beck join us, and then 50 if Hutson and Tuch turn pro and sign contracts before the end of the season. Then possibly Engstrom rumored to be coming over too. So could be tight by year's end, depending on how many guys finish seasons early and move to the pros.
Ahhhhhhhh. I see BigTed3. egee53 had it right then. I must have missed the 5 on IR. Thanks guys. 👍
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Post by electron58 on Feb 10, 2024 11:06:04 GMT
General manager Kevyn Adams and the Sabres are reportedly shopping Mittelstadt, a 25-year-old center. Can't attest to the validity of this rumour but would you consider it? Checks off a few of the boxes and the reason he may be possibly available is his contract status. The Sabres have quite a few players locked up long term on expensive contracts. This would be a perfect time to do a "hockey trade." Mittelstadt, 25, is in the final year of a three-year, $7.5 million contract, making him a restricted free agent this offseason. With 12 goals, 30 assists, and 42 points in 50 games, Mittelstadt is likely headed for a substantial raise from the $2.6 million salary he makes this season. Fits the timeline. 6'1" Left Hand Shooting Center?
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Post by claremont on Feb 10, 2024 13:03:53 GMT
General manager Kevyn Adams and the Sabres are reportedly shopping Mittelstadt, a 25-year-old center. Can't attest to the validity of this rumour but would you consider it? Checks off a few of the boxes and the reason he may be possibly available is his contract status. The Sabres have quite a few players locked up long term on expensive contracts. This would be a perfect time to do a "hockey trade." Mittelstadt, 25, is in the final year of a three-year, $7.5 million contract, making him a restricted free agent this offseason. With 12 goals, 30 assists, and 42 points in 50 games, Mittelstadt is likely headed for a substantial raise from the $2.6 million salary he makes this season. Fits the timeline. 6'1" Left Hand Shooting Center? Would be an ok fit but he's a solid 2C / 3C not quite the gamebreaker our team needs. He's coming off a solid year and 1 more year of RFA. He would cost at minimum a 1st rounder plus a roster player or prospect given the Monahan / Lindholm deals. I don't blame Sabres for shopping him given they have Kulich coming up, Ostlund coming over, Krebs is probably a 4C, and Savoie in development. Too expensive for me, plus I never like trades within the division as they can haunt you for years to come.
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Post by maasart on Feb 11, 2024 3:51:10 GMT
General manager Kevyn Adams and the Sabres are reportedly shopping Mittelstadt, a 25-year-old center. Can't attest to the validity of this rumour but would you consider it? Checks off a few of the boxes and the reason he may be possibly available is his contract status. The Sabres have quite a few players locked up long term on expensive contracts. This would be a perfect time to do a "hockey trade." Mittelstadt, 25, is in the final year of a three-year, $7.5 million contract, making him a restricted free agent this offseason. With 12 goals, 30 assists, and 42 points in 50 games, Mittelstadt is likely headed for a substantial raise from the $2.6 million salary he makes this season. Fits the timeline. 6'1" Left Hand Shooting Center? Would be an ok fit but he's a solid 2C / 3C not quite the gamebreaker our team needs. He's coming off a solid year and 1 more year of RFA. He would cost at minimum a 1st rounder plus a roster player or prospect given the Monahan / Lindholm deals. I don't blame Sabres for shopping him given they have Kulich coming up, Ostlund coming over, Krebs is probably a 4C, and Savoie in development. Too expensive for me, plus I never like trades within the division as they can haunt you for years to come. Yeah, a centre group of Suzuki/Dach/Mittlestadt would be pretty sweet & give you 3 strong lines but unless one of them really has a jump none are really "elite." That said, Barfalo is a very intriguing team to deal with in regards to centres. They have Thompson, Cozens and Mittlestadt as their 3 right now - all very good - and still have Savoie and a guy we know HuGo was very intersted in at the draft- Ostlund. Im not sure what they would want for one of those guys but Id be surprised if Hugo hasnt enquired. They have a wealth of depth at centre & will likely need to move one fairly soon.
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Post by BigTed3 on Feb 11, 2024 14:47:57 GMT
Would be an ok fit but he's a solid 2C / 3C not quite the gamebreaker our team needs. He's coming off a solid year and 1 more year of RFA. He would cost at minimum a 1st rounder plus a roster player or prospect given the Monahan / Lindholm deals. I don't blame Sabres for shopping him given they have Kulich coming up, Ostlund coming over, Krebs is probably a 4C, and Savoie in development. Too expensive for me, plus I never like trades within the division as they can haunt you for years to come. Yeah, a centre group of Suzuki/Dach/Mittlestadt would be pretty sweet & give you 3 strong lines but unless one of them really has a jump none are really "elite." That said, Barfalo is a very intriguing team to deal with in regards to centres. They have Thompson, Cozens and Mittlestadt as their 3 right now - all very good - and still have Savoie and a guy we know HuGo was very intersted in at the draft- Ostlund. Im not sure what they would want for one of those guys but Id be surprised if Hugo hasnt enquired. They have a wealth of depth at centre & will likely need to move one fairly soon.
The rumors are that Buffalo feels they're biggest need is a goaltender and that they don't have confidence in any of their tenders to get the job done. I'm assuming they aren't overly interested in Allen, because they probably could have had him for a mid-round pick. But let's throw out another scenario... Montembeault is not IMO a top 10 goalie in the league but he's probably top 20. He's a significant upgrade on what Buffalo has. Conversely, Hughes likes acquiring players he knows personally, and he knows Devon Levi well. So I wonder if a trade based around Monty for Levi and Ostlund, for example, could be something that intrigues both teams. Obviously it makes us weaker in the short term, but if the team believes one of Fowler, Primeau, Dobes, or Levi could emerge as a starter and that you have a lot of ducks in the pond, then maybe this makes sense. You don't need your goalie to be ready for 2-3 years and really, you just need a goalie who can keep you afloat. A tandem of Allen-Primeau likely holds you for the next year and a half and it gives you a chance to know if Primeau is anything. Thereafter, Fowler should be turning pro. I think it's less likely Hughes makes this type of deal, but we've all put the Monty trades to rest since he signed his extension, and this might be an outside the box thought that could benefit us down the road.
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Post by maasart on Feb 11, 2024 16:11:29 GMT
Yeah, a centre group of Suzuki/Dach/Mittlestadt would be pretty sweet & give you 3 strong lines but unless one of them really has a jump none are really "elite." That said, Barfalo is a very intriguing team to deal with in regards to centres. They have Thompson, Cozens and Mittlestadt as their 3 right now - all very good - and still have Savoie and a guy we know HuGo was very intersted in at the draft- Ostlund. Im not sure what they would want for one of those guys but Id be surprised if Hugo hasnt enquired. They have a wealth of depth at centre & will likely need to move one fairly soon.
The rumors are that Buffalo feels they're biggest need is a goaltender and that they don't have confidence in any of their tenders to get the job done. I'm assuming they aren't overly interested in Allen, because they probably could have had him for a mid-round pick. But let's throw out another scenario... Montembeault is not IMO a top 10 goalie in the league but he's probably top 20. He's a significant upgrade on what Buffalo has. Conversely, Hughes likes acquiring players he knows personally, and he knows Devon Levi well. So I wonder if a trade based around Monty for Levi and Ostlund, for example, could be something that intrigues both teams. Obviously it makes us weaker in the short term, but if the team believes one of Fowler, Primeau, Dobes, or Levi could emerge as a starter and that you have a lot of ducks in the pond, then maybe this makes sense. You don't need your goalie to be ready for 2-3 years and really, you just need a goalie who can keep you afloat. A tandem of Allen-Primeau likely holds you for the next year and a half and it gives you a chance to know if Primeau is anything. Thereafter, Fowler should be turning pro. I think it's less likely Hughes makes this type of deal, but we've all put the Monty trades to rest since he signed his extension, and this might be an outside the box thought that could benefit us down the road.
Thats a really interesting proposition & makes sense for a number of reasons. As you mentioned, Im not sure Hughes trades Monty - im sure they didnt sign him with the intention of trading him any time soon - but as Hughes has said: anyone is on the table if trading him makes the team stronger. They seem to really have confidence in Fowler right now and I think there's a decent chance you could get another tender UFA who can manage time with Primeau or Allen or however we want to make it work. It really comes down to what they think of Ostlund & if he's worth shaking up the short-term to acquire.
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Post by habsology on Feb 12, 2024 15:09:37 GMT
I think it's a reasonable ask, just saying that some GMs might view that as steep. The unprotected part on a 1st can really throw GMs off. But I agree, his value should be high if he's available, and there's nothing that compels us to rush a trade.
As for value, I wonder I wonder if Guhle has more or less than Matheson and even Xhekaj... younger players, less proven, but cheaper and with more potential to improve and they stay under team control for more years. Something's got to give at LHD regardless of who it is who goes.
I think its tough to say how our dmen would rank in terms of value because, obviously a competitive team will give up different stuff than a rebuilding one. A guy like Guhle may have more interest for a team thats just coming into its own but a team like TB or Toronto - or even Edmonton - may need to break some stuff up in a year or two so a guy like Matheson fits them perfectly. A team like Anaheim for sure gives up more for Guhle than Matheson though imho. If i had to rank our LHD from a trade perspective i think it would likely be: Matheson Guhle Hutson Struble Xhekaj Harris I think some GMs may value a guy like Xhekaj over Struble for example and some GMs would take a proven Dman over Hutson but i think thats pretty much where most rival groups would rank them. We've talked about this before and agree: you're not getting a top prospect for Harris or Xhekaj or even Struble... but you might get one for Guhle. You should get one for Matheson. I still have this nagging feeling like Hughes may try trading Hutson. I think they like him but the fact they took Mesar and Beck before him (if you remember, you and I at the draft were both calling for them to take him with our last 1st and early 2nd) makes me think they really like his skill but worry about his size. Maybe with Hughes doing so well that has changed (and the rest of our young D corps are pretty much monsters) but i worry we may move him before he's had a chance on our roster. I hope im wrong. Don't worry. You're wrong 😁
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Post by habulator on Feb 13, 2024 17:05:39 GMT
I'm hearing the Leaf's are very interested in acquiring Ridly Greig from Ottawa. According to Sheldon Keefe he is a guy they very much like. "He can pound that puck in the net with authority, and we like that in our players". Austin Matthews then chimed in, "he is a guy who really gets under your skin when you play him, really annoying - he would fit right in with the rest of us". (Joke - JOKE!)
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