Habs Fan in Edmonton

I think Florian has shown progression this year which is all you can ask for. Only 1 goal behind Beck and 2 behind Roy (Roy has played 6 fewer games). Not bad for a guy projected to be a 4th liner. I think the Habs have to be happy with how he has progressed this year, admittedly I don't know what his defensive play is like. That is also important.

Nice goal by Michael Hage Michael Hage carries the puck 200 feet to score a beautiful goal

Exactly, plus the USA won't be nearly as motivated playing Sweden with a spot in the final clinched.

They better beat Finland now, in regulation.

What an idiot. That's all I will say.

It worked LOL, I think it's in everyone's best interest to see Demidov come over next year.

He is wearing the Team Canada uniform so I have no problem cheering for him.

Agreed, plus the teams have had just a couple days to try and build some chemistry so anything can happen. It's a toss up.

I am trying to remember the last time I was happy to see Mitch Marner and Brad Marchand score?

I think we all agree that the price has to be right. However Dvorak has the leverage here being a UFA soon and I have no idea how badly he wants to stay in Montreal. He seems to be one of those quiet guys that doesn't say much.

Yes, it's more about quality than quantity now. Get another 1st and try and trade up as Hughes has tried to do in the past (was successful moving up to get Hage).

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.