Habs Fan in Edmonton

Plus Dach is on a very good contract and will be an RFA when it expires, smart move by Hughes.

I tend to agree. I think Dach has just started to scratch the surface of his potential. I think Dubois has the higher floor but Dach has the higher ceiling. I worry at times that Dach might be a little injury prone. Heck, we don't need anything back for Gallagher, we will give him to LA for nothing.

That would definitely shake things up. I think that if Michkov shows up at the draft as expected and meets with several teams then the chances of him being taken in the top 4 definitely increase.

And that is exactly the approach I would expect from Hughes. He either gets Dubois at the price he wants or he walks/waits. Cheveldayoff does not have the leverage here.

Agreed, plus that wouldn't be enough for Winnipeg.

I would think the 31st pick would do it to just move 1 spot as SJ will still get a heck of a player at 5. I think it depends on whether SJ is set on taking a particular player at 4. If they have a player in mind and they are there at 4 then they are not likely swapping picks.

It would be very expensive.

I like Beck too, seems like he could be a perfect 3rd line center with some offensive upside.

That's my thoughts as well. In the short term Gally is not going anywhere without giving up a bundle so maybe/hopefully he can stay healthy, provide some leadership and score 20 goals (maybe I am dreaming here). In a couple years if we are much more competitive and if he is still a boat anchor then maybe a buyout is the way to go, the cost wouldn't be as painful with only 2 years left.

There is no doubt a lot of smoke and mirrors going on. There is no way that any GM with half of brain is going to give clues about who they are taking as it would really hurt their leverage in any trade talks with other GM's. The press can speculate all they want about who Hughes wants to take, they are just guessing/speculating like we are.

Agreed, some teams have cap issues right now, the Habs don't. No need to panic and over pay to get rid of Gallagher's contract.

I think Dubois will end up in LA, sounds like they have a lot of interest plus a lot of young pieces to offer.

If the Jets lose many of their top players (entirely possible) then I think they go into full rebuild mode. Karlsson would want to play for a contender and the Jets would want some cap flexibility and younger players/picks. Not a match. The Jets are in a tough spot, Cheveldayoff certainly has his work cut out for him.

It might be slightly optimistic but who knows how quickly some of the kids develop and it's unlikely they lead the league in man games/injury again. The Devils improved 45 points this year so I don't think 23 is out of the question.

The Jets would have zero interest in Karlsson. Who wants to pay a 33 year old defensemen 11.5M for the next 4 years unless you are in win now mode. The Jets have enough problems to deal with right now. I can see the Sharks and Habs as trading partners as the Habs have a surplus of good defense prospects and that is an area where the Sharks are lacking.

The Jets say No No No. At this point I am not interested in paying a king's ransom to get rid of the Gallagher contract. He may spend a good chunk of the next 4 years on LTIR anyway as he is getting older and more injury prone. The Habs don't need cap relief this year anyway. I don't think there is any rush to deal with it. I would see what it looks like a year from now.

We are certainly due for a healthy season after 2 awful seasons of injuries. I think we will be a bubble team, close but not quite there yet but playoffs are not out of the question.

I agree, staying healthy is the key. I thought Dach looked very dominant at times last year, huge potential.

If he can stay healthy and the Habs are out of a playoff spot come the deadline then his vastly reduced salary will make his contract (Habs retain 50%) much easier for a team to absorb.

Very happy with this signing. He obviously wants to be here and the Habs want him. Highly respected team guy. Just hope he can stay healthy.

I am sure we will be hearing a lot more stories like these in the coming days from "expert sources". Report: Capitals 'Seriously Aimed' At Michkov Going Into 2023 NHL Draft; Prospect Told Not To Talk To NHL Teams (msn.com)

I think only a pro scout could give a reasonable answer to that question.

When I look at potential trading partners for the Habs to move up it seems like San Jose might be a good partner. When I look at the San Jose defense I see Vlasic at 36, Karlsson at 33 and not much else other than a couple decent prospects. Their top 4 prospects are all forwards. It seems like San Jose needs more good young defensemen than forwards while the Habs are the reverse. Perhaps a deal to be made here if Hughes really wants Will Smith.

Gallagher is a boat anchor but I think he is virtually untradeable without taking back another anchor or giving up high picks/good prospects so I don't worry about it and have accepted he will be around for a while barring a career ending injury. Hoffman, I just leave, only 1 year left, maybe get a mid to late round pick at the deadline while taking back 50% if he has a decent season. Armia, he is over paid at 3.4 but only 2 years left and if (big if) he can stay healthy and have a decent season then there could be some interest and a chance to unload him but a little patience will be required before that can happen. I think right now Hughes has other priorities before the draft rather than trying to get rid of bad contracts. I just don't see any buyouts at this point.

It is a unique ranking. There will be some surprises come draft day. In 2018 Arizona took Barrett Hayton at 5, Mckenzie had him at 11. I am not suprised Benson is so high, he seems to be able to do it all.