Habs Fan in Edmonton

I am not sure if I like it or don't like it, you obviously put a lot of thought into it, a lot of moving pieces and it's almost too late in the day for me to try and understand it all. LOL So net bottom line we get a 4th rd pick for retaining 25% of Henrique and swap Allen for Johansen. Is that correct? A negative is we use a retention slot for only a 4th round pick. I would rather that slot if there is an opportunity to get a 1st for a David Savard.

Agreed. It's unfortunate but Winnipeg just doesn't have the economic base that other Canadian cities have. It's not cheap to buy season tickets for an NHL team so you need that big corporate base to support it. Winnipeg has great fans and an excellent team but it seems it will always be a struggle to support it.

I agree, Pezetta gets at best a 6th/7th rounder. I think Hughes will trade Savard if he can get a 1st round pick in the equation (likely have to retain 50%) otherwise he will wait until next year to trade him.

A 20 game losing streak might destroy the confidence of some young players so maybe a couple of 8 game losing streaks might do the trick. LOL

That makes sense.

The Habs won't get Celebrini unless they win the lottery (somewhat unrealistic). My hope is that they draft 4-6 (somewhat realistic) and they get Lindstrom. I don't think we need another thread but let's keep hoping for some Ottawa, Buffalo, Columbus wins.

One is a lefty, one is a righty, they might be able to play together on the PP?

Columbus is now only 6 points behind the Habs with 2 games in hand. They play Buffalo tonight. I hope the game goes into overtime.

I prefer Gallagher but let's not split hairs here.

Mailloux has terrific puck skills (passing and shooting), that is evident. In 2 years he will manning the point on the Habs power play.

Montreal has the toughest remaining schedule although that doesn't guarantee anything. NHL Remaining Schedule Strength | Tankathon

That is true, he is playing with a little more discipline.

So Ottawa loses back to back to Anaheim and Chicago and then takes 5 of 6 points from Tampa, Florida and Dallas, makes perfect sense to me.

It doesn't look good, maybe a groin?

A guy like Pezzetta certainly brings grit but he can also take some bad penalties which can be very detrimental in the playoffs as special teams become even more important. That would be a concern of mine.

They could easily take Savard and he would help this year but looking at Jersey's defense situation next year they have Hamilton, Nemec and Marino on the right side so not sure what they would do with Savard next year. I don't think Jersey is all in this year especially without Hamilton so they may be patient.

That makes sense. Laval could really use Gignac.

It does seem like an odd move. White was a very good prospect at one point but that was a long time ago. He has shuffled around a lot. Obviously Hughes must think he is an upgrade over Gignac or there are other moves coming.

Agreed, I always try and remember that we are all Habs fans that hope for the same thing. Another Stanley Cup. And to crush the Leafs. I don't think Pezzetta is the missing piece either but that is one person's opinion. I actually think Gallagher might be the missing piece for the Canucks. Or maybe Armia. Ok, I am being a smart ass now. My apologies.

Maybe Armia would be a good fit on their bottom 6, we retain or take back a contract, they are also looking for a goalie apparently. I see the making of a deal here, might involve several pieces or other teams as GHT120 mentioned.

I agree that he is the type of player Hughes is looking for, 7th over all pick, highly skilled, has scored 16 goals in 83 NHL games so hardly a bust. He just turned 22 so definitely fits the time frame. Maybe a change of scenery would be what he needs. I wouldn't give up our 1st but maybe Winnipeg's and something. I definitely see the makings of a deal here. I don't know anything about Holtz's attitude. Commandant can probably comment better about Holtz.

Don't forget that many of these players went to contending teams, an opportunity for a fresh start in a different environment (ie. Drouin away from the pressure in Montreal). Petry didn't exactly light it up when he was moved. I think you are looking for things to fit a narrative that just isn't there.

Not a terrible loss from a draft positioning point of view, lose to the Sabres and crush the Leafs.

I don't look at Anderson as being a problem that needs to be solved, he just needs to play better. His salary makes him difficult to trade. If he can get back to his usual type season (ie. 20 goals, 30 points and playing physical) then he is doing about the most we can expect. Whether he does that on the 2nd or 3rd line doesn't matter. Having 3 goalies is a problem that needs to be solved. Getting secondary scoring is a problem that needs to be solved although a healthy Dach could help that a lot.