Habs Fan in Edmonton

An update from U18 after day 2. Future Considerations: Scouting top players at U18 World Championship (msn.com)

Plus Iginla scored 2 goals for Canada today.

That does sound amazing, you can't have too many good prospects especially at center.

I think "potentially" is the right word. I have very serious concerns about Dubois now, don't see how the Habs take on that contract, he hasn't shown up this year. I just don't see how or why you would take a chance with his current contract. A hard NO for me. Zegras on the other hand is a little more interesting for me. He had a crappy year with injuries so the asking price is likely a little lower than it would normally be. His contract is not ridiculous for a guy who should be a 60 point a year guy, perhaps higher. If the price is right then Zegras is potentially the more interesting of the two.

How is the St. Louis trade or all those other names relevant to this? There is always some uncertainty/risk when trading a player who hasn't fully developed yet. There is no reward without some risk. I just think the trade put forth by GHT was the most interesting trade proposal I have seen yet. Most of the ones I have seen usually involve Montreal getting far more than they are giving up. This was a major trade proposal that could actually work for both teams involved.

There are a lot of unknowns with this trade. How far will Mailloux develop, how much further will Zegras develop, what will the #3 pick turn into? This is also another factor regarding this trade. I think in the back of Hughe's mind there is the thought that Mailloux will have an easier time away from the spotlight of the hockey mad Canadian cities. California would be perfect for that. I just think there is a deal possible between Anaheim and Montreal because there is a fit of complimentary pieces.

I don't think Hughes wants to trade CC, I really like CC but it's actually the best proposal I have seen recently to improve the Habs in my opinion. Is there a better trade proposal out there that's not one sided in the Habs favour?

I think it's a very fair proposal. I see benefits for both sides. What I don't want to see happen at the draft this year is when Montreal comes to draft at #5, all the forwards they covet are gone and the BPA is yet another defensemen. Hughes has to make sure that doesn't happen.

If I was convinced Mailloux would be an all star then perhaps I would not make this trade. I am not as convinced as you are. If you make this trade a) you are almost guaranteed to end up with a stud forward at #3 (Demidov or Lindstrom) b) you have more choices at #5, a stud defensemen or maybe Iginla, Helenius c) plus you have Zegras who might be really motivated to prove himself with a new team It hurts to give up CC but overall this might be a better team. Trades like this are fun to talk about. In any event I do see possibilities of an Anaheim/Montreal trade as they do have pieces that compliment each other.

It's a lot more than Caufield for Zegras. If you break this trade down into 2 components. a) Caulfield for Zegras b) Mailloux and Winnipeg's pick for the #3 pick I think you would do part b) all day long. But you would probably not do part a) Overall I think it's a fair deal. I know everyone on this board would like to give up a couple tugboats for a battleship but that's not how it works.

I don't think it's a massive overpayment. The #3 pick could turn out to be an absolute stud.

That is an interesting trade proposal. It certainly gives Anaheim something they are looking for. To get something you have to give something up and CC is certainly a very good piece. This is actually one of the better trade proposals I have seen as it made me think a lot about who is getting the better deal. I think it's pretty fair. Well thought out. I would think both teams want to see how the ping pong balls fall before entertaining something like this.

Not always multiple years. It's not also easy to find teams willing to give up top 4 right handed D in a trade. Unless you are willing to pay a premium.

Yes, I took it to assume both, trading or drafting.

That makes perfect sense as almost all of their good young defensemen and forwards shoot left. They would be less likely to draft a guy like Lindstrom and more likely to draft a Levshunov.