John B

It's funny that you mention Vanek. I just read an article on The Hockey News site last week where the author was suggesting Bergevin rethink his plans to not go after rentals and suggested Vanek as a possible target. The author was saying that the price likely wouldn't be that high when you look at what he was traded for the past couple of seasons.

I'd rather not give up Brook, but you have to give to get. I'm wondering if Philly would want a 1st as part of that deal instead of the 2nd. As far as the Hudon deal goes, I think I'd rather have a 1st rounder in 2020 (with the idea that anything can happen, like a major injury that makes it a lottery pick and a shot at Lafreniere) or something instead of Joseph. However, if we can get anything of value for Hudon, I'd be happy. Not sure Callahan waives his NTC to come to Montreal though. It's tough to say. I'm sure he's going to try to block as many trades as possible since he's playing for the Cup favorites right now. Solid deals though if they were to happen.

I'd rather keep Alzner. Lucic has a NMC and needs to be protected in the expansion draft.

What would you have the Oilers add to make it better?

I like the Hudon and Niemi for Talbot and 2nd deal. That's not bad at all.

If the Oilers are dumping salary I would try to do Hudon for Spooner. Maybe the Oilers throw in a late round pick (or whatever seems fair) or conditional pick if Hudon plays in 95% of the games remaining in the season or something. Spooner clears $3.1M off their cap this year and next. Maybe he gets back to being a good producing middle six guy under his former Bruins coach Julien? As far as forward help I would dangle Tatar for Edmonton's 1st with some sort of protection. Could be something like: Edmonton Tomas Tatar Charles Hudon Montreal Ryan Spooner (for cap reasons) 2019 1st rounder (top 10 protected) 2020 Conditional 2nd rounder (if Oilers make the playoffs)

What do you think is wrong with him? I was really high on him (as were many teams) in his draft year, but he just doesn't seem to be developing all that well.

What kind of value does he have? Mid round pick?

I agree that there will be structural problems with Habs in a few years. I think this is why it's important to stick to the rebuild and not let the current wild card spot fool this organization into thinking that it is better than what it is. We've seen this before with other rebuilding teams. They squeak into the playoffs one year and everybody thinks it's progress and it's time to try and speed up the rebuild. Then the next year, they miss the playoffs in a big way. I remember this happening to both Colorado and New Jersey not so long ago. I don' think that Habs should be desperate to move any veterans with term, but if there is a good offer on the table that makes the team better a few years from now and for a while after that, they should be strongly considering it. My opinion is to build around the "new core" (Kotkaniemi, Domi, Drouin, Mete, Juulsen) and not worry about the old core (Price, Petry, Weber). That's just me though, I've always been a strong believer in rebuilds through strong drafting and development. I want the Habs to build a Chicago/Pittsburgh type team that can win several Cups in a decade long period of contention as opposed to a team that might win one Cup in a 4-5 year window and then back to the drawing board.

Might not have to go the draft route. There might be a couple of undrafted free agents from the NCAA this year too to help add to the goaltending prospect pool. Cale Morris of Notre Dame was pretty impressive last year. His numbers this year aren't as stellar, but they're still good. I'm sure there are other options as well from the NCAA or other leagues.

Couldn't agree more. Short term acquisitions isn't the way to go this season.

Nick Suzuki - I'm assuming he will be used on a scoring line so I'm expecting some production from him in this tournament. Hopefully he establishes himself as a go to guy with the team. Jesse Ylonen - Again I think he'll play on a scoring line as well so I have some expectations for him offensively. That being said, the Finns look fairly deep so I would expect him to play more of a secondary scoring role. Ryan Poehling - I have a feeling that he will get quite a bit of ice time, but I think he will be deployed as a shutdown guy and provide secondary scoring. I still want to see some offensive production, but my expectations are tempered a bit. Not worried if he doesn't dominate offensively. Jacob Olofsson - Same as Poehling here. I see some secondary/support cast type scoring as I feel he will be used as a shutdown guy and PKer. Josh Brook - Not sure what to expect here. Canada has a lot of depth on D and there are some more prominent guys on the right side. He's a bit of wild card for me, he could be a big producer or he could end up being used sparingly. Alex Romanov - I could see him being used sparingly. I'm surprised that he was even invited (not because he didn't play well, but because he just didn't seem to be on the radar earlier in the season). I'm hoping that he plays a consistent game and earns more ice time and the coaches trust as the tournament progresses. Cayden Primeau - Like Brook, I think Primeau is a bit of a wild card for me. I can't think of too many U.S. goaltenders that have stolen the show compared to other super powers of the tournament. I'm interested to see how he fares at this level of competition. Hopefully all the Habs prospects do well and even exceed expectations.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone as well.

I'm really surprised that they are holding down a wild card spot. I don't think they're ready to be contenders, but it's nice to see some progress from a young team.

Maybe Vancouver from that list shows interest. They're not that far out of a playoff spot. Depends how they feel their team is going to progress next year. I can see Dallas or Vegas in the west being interested as well. Habs would have to take a hefty contract back to make it work with Dallas. They pretty much don't have any cap space. I could see Pittsburgh and Toronto being interested in the east. Again the Habs would have to take back a big contract to make it work with either of those teams.

I agree with Don, Petry would be a more likely target for the Avs assuming they are looking for a RH defenseman.

I can get behind this. It would have to be a long term fix (like a player in his early 20s that would be with us for a long time). Habs aren't likely to be serious contenders for a few years so it would be nice to have players that will be just entering their prime around that time. Lets make the future window of opportunity to win a Cup (or several Cups) as long as possible.

When was the last time that they weren't buyers at the deadline when in the playoff race. It's just what they typically do. If they are still in the race for a playoff spot at the deadline it will interesting to see if they continue the rebuild.

Agree. If the Habs are close to the playoffs I could see them being buyers at the deadline.

Disappointing that another Habs first rounder doesn't pan out. I guess these things happen though.

As much as I'd like to see that happen, the Leafs would surely say no. Marleau is worth more than Plekanec. I also doubt Marleau waives his NMC to go to Montreal. If Marleau were to waive his NMC it would likely be to a legit contender. The Leafs have a better shot at the Cup this year and next than the Habs.

I'm a little disappointed with this one. Not that I don't like Olofsson, he's fine and could end up being a decent cheap bottom pair guy real soon. I just think Bitten is a better prospect.

This is what I expected a Byron extension to look like. He certainly has earned this.

For me it's because I thought the return was going to be worse. Given the circumstances, I think the Habs did well to get this much. Look at what Skinner netted for the Canes and he has similar stats to Pacioretty. Suzuki is better than Pu, the 2nds cancel each other out. Tatar is probably worth more than a 3rd and 6th if/when he gets dealt (unless he has a horrible year). Ideally the Habs get a 1st rounder instead of the 2nd rounder, but with no guarantee that Pacioretty is going to resign with Vegas, I can see why they only gave a 2nd. I see where you're coming from though. I wanted a 1st in the worst way.

Depends on the return. If someone is willing to give a return that just can't be refused (in other words huge ridiculous over payment) then I would move Price. As for Weber, I would just need an over payment for now (because I see the value in having a veteran like him on a rebuilding team). I would like to see Weber moved at some point in the next couple years before his value starts to take a nose dive.