Habs Fan in Edmonton

Overpaying for a middle roster guy is not a good idea especially when you have guys like Beck or Kapanen who MIGHT be able to fill that role. Spend your money on a high end guy like Tavares who has been tremendously consistent over his career. You know what you are getting.

Not a great skater but does everything else well. Would prefer 3 years but if he becomes a free agent then teams will be lining up so you might have to do 4.

That is a pretty weak return. Obviously Hughes was not that interested as he could have easily beat that return without sacrificing too much.

Yes, there is chatter that the Ducks might go after Marner. They certainly have the cap room. He would provide a huge boost to the team and would be away from the spotlight. Might be good for him.

For me: Plan A: Tavares Plan B: Granlund No obvious Plan C, but package your 1st and 2nd round picks (maybe add a prospect) to move up as high as you can in the draft to get a center who may be a 2C in 3 years.

Tavares has been a consistent point per game producer his entire career and a quality guy. I would sign him in a heartbeat, hopefully not more than 3 years.

I like Granlund/Tavares as place holders. Suter had an outlier year at age 29 and someone will overpay there. I would rather overpay for a known commodity like Tavares or Granlund.

That's true. The trades Hughes has made (ie. Newhook, Dach) are ones that no one saw coming.

I think he would love to get a young centre who could develop into a 2C but it might not be easy to find something a lot of other teams are also looking for. He did try that approach with Dach, unfortunately injuries really hampered his development as we all know.

That's an interesting quote. If I am reading between the lines correctly I think he is saying that he would like to add experience but not at any cost, if the price is too high or if the guy we want is not available then we will go with the young guys we have.

That would be sweet!!

Yes, I see that now, I didn't see the most recent story, thought it was still ongoing. Thanks

Nice interview Prospects 2025: Lynden Lakovic dreams of playing with Juraj Slafkovsky

Yes, great band aid. Part of me thinks he would prefer to stay in Toronto at a discount BUT I just remembered that he is currently having a battle with CRA so money may be really important to him now as he has some uncertainty on the financial side.

Interesting, Leafs looking for the big hometown discount for a guy who scored 38 goals last year. Dallas got a great deal with Duchesne who was willing to take less money because he wanted to stay, plus taxes are less in Texas. I would sign Tavares at that rate, turns 35 in September but a quality guy who takes care of himself. I can definitely see getting 3 pretty good years from him. Would he want to play for the Habs?

I would take 2 Suzuki's any day of the week. Similar type player (very smart, great passer) but a lefty which is good. If the Habs really like him they certainly have the draft capital to move up a couple spots to grab him. Watched a couple interviews with him, very smart and humble. I like him.

Good point, somehow I think he goes before the Habs draft. I have seen him all over the place in mock drafts from low teens to late first round.

Plus 25 pts in 11 playoff games this year. A lot to like with Reschny, just seems to keep improving.

One interesting stat about Cole Reschny. I was watching a clip of a couple analysts talking about his excellent playmaking abilities. They said that of his 66 assists last year, 60 were primary, that's a phenomenal percentage. Wonder how far he will drop because he is not the ideal size.

My prediction based on years of painstaking research, using advanced regression analysis techniques and polling multiple scouts is that the Habs take Lynden Lakovic and Justin Carbonneau. I see Pronman has copied me on the Lakovic pick. To put it simply and more accurately I think the Habs will draft forwards with size who POTENTIALLY could be top 6. If I get it right it will be dumb luck. A player I really like is Cole Reschny but I think the Habs are looking for more size.

Yup

Yes, Rantanen and Johnston will eat up a chunk of the cap now, Granlund should be available. He will get paid well. Not even sure if Montreal is interested in Granlund or if Montreal interests him.

Certainly Jamie Benn's contract of 9.5M coming off the books will help. Of course they may resign him but it will be for substantially less. They still have some work to do if they want to resign Granlund. Getting rid of Dumba or Lyubushkin will get them closer but if Granlund commands 7M/year then they still have some maneuvering to do.

Burns is 40, not sure how much is left in the tank but for the right deal it might be worth a shot. Not sure who would play center for Robertson and Demidov? I would rather sign Granlund to a 3 year deal. Then use both 1st round picks and 2nd rounds pick plus a prospect if required to move up in the draft to get one of the best centers. Then in 3 years when Granlund is done, the pick from this year and/or Hage is ready to move into the 2c role. I have also always liked Bo Horvat but no idea if the Islanders are willing to move him or what it would cost. Probably a whole lot.

TSN says Calgary is taking calls on Anderson. Taking calls and actively looking to trade him are two different things. Taking calls could mean they are just seeing if someone is willing to overpay. He has 1 year left so you would have to work out an extension. He won't be cheap that's for sure.