Habs Fan in Edmonton

I would make that trade, especially if contracts talks with Evans don't have any hope of working out. I am guessing retention on Armia's contract would be part of the deal. The Habs dropping out of the playoff race (slim chance now) has made these decisions easier for Hughes.

Yup, agree 100%

Perhaps, my guess is that Hughes is trying to get more than a 2nd round pick from a contending team. If the right trade is there I think Hughes will pull the trigger rather than wait as he did with Toffoli. Waiting to the end of the trade deadline can work for you or against you.

That makes sense as the Flyers have pretty much dropped out of the race. Laughton has been a bigger scorer over his career than Evans, also has a year left on his contract after this year so perhaps the Flyers are not in a hurry to move him unless they get a great offer. A pretty good comparable though.

I would think that if the Habs wanted a 2nd round pick for Evans than he would have been traded already. Surely a contending team would have no problem giving up a late 2nd round pick for Evans, especially considering his low contract for the remainder of the year.

If they can get him cheap than sure. I just don't think he will give up free agent status to sign for cheap.

That's true, however somehow I don't envision the Habs making an offer generous enough so that Dvorak gives up his UFA status.

Dvorak is a UFA, he will go where the best offer is, unlikely to be the Habs.

Yes, I think 8-12 is much more realistic.

It does sound a bit like that. If they are not close in contract negotiations then they have to look for the best trade offer. I am a big fan of Evans but there is a point where he is too expensive. He will be a UFA and it's his big chance to provide security for his family. I don't blame him for going for the money. The Habs chances of making the playoffs are slim now (4.3% according to money puck), Hughes will be a seller now.

I hope money puck is correct here, if Calgary ends up with 87 points then their pick would be top 15, perfect! Plus the Penguins have a very small chance of making the playoffs which improves that 2nd round pick. Hughes could have a lot of ammo to work with at the draft. https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm

Exactly, no news there. I would be shocked if teams weren't checking on the availability of those players. Must be hard to be a writer sometimes, always looking for a new angle on something.

Of course, players are paid to play and you expect an honest effort on every shift. I was just responding to the comparison for making the playoffs with Utah. Certainly not impossible to make the playoffs, stranger things have happened. Money puck gives them a 4.3% chance. NHL Playoff Odds -MoneyPuck 2025 Playoff & Cup Odds

The number of teams you have to catch makes a huge difference. The Habs have to pass 5 teams to catch the final playoff spot. That's tough to do late in the year especially when those teams are playing each other, someone is going to win. Mathematically it makes it a lot harder. Last year Washington got the last wild card spot with 91 points which was lower than normal for the 8th seed. The Habs would have to go something like 18-9 in their last 27 games to end up with 91 points. I think the odds are pretty slim of that happening.

The Habs chances of making the playoffs were very slim before this weekend but now I am starting to think more of draft positioning. Hughes certainly won't be a buyer at the deadline unless they go on an absolute tear in the next 7 games which is doubtful.

Absolutely!! Can't have too many 2nd rounds picks. Might get another Subban or Hutson. That 2nd round pick we got for Kulak turned out not too bad.

Yes, things have tilted toward being a seller at the deadline now.

A tough loss, the Habs have to go something like 19-9 in their last 28 games to have a shot at a playoff spot, very tough with many teams ahead of them now.

A big game for the Habs. They have 29 games left and likely need to win about 19 of them to have a shot at a wild card spot. Let's go!!

He is interesting but there is little chance Buffalo would trade him to a division rival without a big return.

There may be better stats than +/- but I am guessing that if someone has the worst +/- in the league then their other stats are poor as well.

Yup, in order to get respect of the entire team the coach can't play favourites when it comes to effort.

Yes, even if they make the playoffs and go out in the 1st round or 2 then it would be a top 20 pick assuming they grab the last playoff spot. My hope is they slide a bit in the last week or 2. Top 20 is better than I expected it would be, top 15 would be even nicer.

Agree 100%, they have shown they are able to compete against some really good teams. Would prefer a run to the playoffs but falling back now is not a disaster.

Dvorak would most certainly be cheaper for a multitude of reasons