Habs Fan in Edmonton

That's what it's looking like and I think that was always in the back of Hughes mind that if he can't make the right trade then Dach will get another chance.

And then that bag of pucks turned into Lane Hutson. Very nice asset management although some might disagree. Lol

I also checked the Blues fans reactions and certainly many were upset. Part of that is that they liked Bolduc but I also think part of it is they are not very knowledgeable of Mailloux's potential. I like the trade especially after getting Dobson but I also recognize that if Mailloux improves his defensive game then it could turn out well for the Blues.

Shocking that Hughes didn't match the Flyer offer of 5.4M. Shocking! Seriously Hughes hasn't done anything stupid the last week. He continues to be patient and strategic, spending money and assets to get quality. Nothing wrong going into the season with some cap space

I think Hughes has been very strategic regarding picks, moved up in the draft last year to get Hage and also moved up this year to get Zharovsky. When the opportunity presented itself to get a top paring RD who is only 25 he used two mid 1st rounders. The chance of getting a top pairing RD with a mid 1st rounder is slim. You have to balance the long range future with the mid to shorter term and I think Hughes has done an excellent job. Dobson is 25, Bolduc is 22 so Hughes is not sacrificing the future.

Exactly. Hughes assessed the market, determined the right 2c wasn't available or not for the cost he would have to pay and took the opportunity to improve the team in other areas. I like that Hughes is patient. Dobson was a huge addition. I liked Mailloux as a prospect, the fact we got Bolduc for him indicates the Blues valued him as well. Bolduc is a good player and only 22. The addition of Dobson turned Mailloux into a trading chip with Reinbacher on the horizon. Hughes has improved the team and with players that are young.

That's a good observation although I think Mailloux will have a longer career than Barron. Bolduc has progressed nicely.

Now that's a low bar.

That's unfortunate. He has had a good career though, won 2 cups. Explains why he didn't play in the 4 nations cup

I agree. For all his skill, Ehlers best goal total is 29 and best point total is 64. Not that impressive for a skilled guy that has been in the league 10 years. I see an overpay coming for Ehlers and I hope it's not us.

I think Dvorak gets 3.5m, maybe 4.0max but maybe I am underestimating the stupidity of GM's.

Primeau has come full circle, drafted in the 7th round and now traded for a 7th round pick.

I see Provorov got 8.5Million and he has scored 40 points once in his 9 year career, makes me feel better about signing Dobson at 9.5

Which means the few big names available (Ehlers, Boeser, is Granlund a big name?) will be vastly overpaid. I am ok if Hughes sits this one out for the big names. He made his big move already. Will likely need to fill a hole or two in the bottom 6. I expect Toronto will be active and will go hard for Ehlers or Boeser.

Yup, a great time to be a UFA, a small pool of UFAs, cap going up, will get even more overpaid than usual

The Leafs lose Marner, the Habs add Dobson, the gap between the two teams is certainly narrowing.

Wow, Marchand staying, Marner to Vegas, free agent day will be boring.

Looks like Marner to Vegas in a sign and trade, assets to be determined.

I would be way more interested in Luostarinen. I am starting to think Zito will find a way to get it done. Marchand wants to stay.

Wow, that is a team friendly deal. He would have got 8 for sure on the open market. Zito is doing a phenomenal job. Maybe he can sign both.

Mckenzie and Friedman are saying that Ekblad is staying in Florida which means that Marchand likely hits the free agent market.

I would also say yes but Pittsburgh will want more than that.

Well, perhaps they are looking for a Marner replacement?

Agreed, no point in using up cap room unless you get the trade you re looking for. Cap room can come in really handy when other teams are desperate or want to start over.

Basically Hague got the same contract as Kaiden Guhle except for 1 year less? That's a head shaker.