Habs Fan in Edmonton

Yeah, it's a great time for Gally to get hot. Save them for next year Gally!!

Expecting an easy win for who?

Agree 100%, a higher pick just gives you better odds of picking a very good player, it doesn't guarantee anything as we have seen many times.

Yes, Hughes has finally busted out this year. Caulfield was on pace for 45 goals before his injury. Hischier has finally scored 30, the Devils have come along nicely. My point was; did anyone here think New Jersey would go from 63 to 100+ points this year? Could Suzuki and Dach really bust out next year? What about Slafkovsky? The Habs have had a ton of injuries this year. Not saying they will be a contender for the playoffs next year. Just saying it's way too early to write them off.

What happens at the draft will certainly be a factor in whether their interest in Dubois increases or decreases. If they get lucky and move up and are able to grab one of the top centers then their interest will likely diminish.

Yes, if Habs lose tonight their chances of catching Philly are very slim. We have a game in hand on Arizona but they have an easier schedule.

That's exactly what I was thinking. They both seem like great prospects. I don't want the Habs to drop below 6 as I think either one of those guys would be great.

Yeah, worst case scenario they catch Arizona and Philly who have easier schedules left than the Habs. Need a Habs loss and a Pittsburgh win tonight.

It didn't seem that way last year.

Inching closer to another lottery pick as Florida loses and the Islanders win which is awesome!! Now if only the Habs would cooperate. They need to lose in Philly tomorrow night!!!

That sucks! At least Florida lost.

I would love to see them slide to 4 but Anaheim is 8 points behind so I think unrealistic with 9 games to go. Beating Florida would be a killer loss for them. Would love 2 lottery picks.

Of course Winnipeg won't take 25 cents on the dollar. Just saying they don't have a ton of leverage here and it's worth exploring, if the cost is too high then you walk or wait. Dubois scored 28 goals last year, will get about the same this year and hasn't entered his prime yet. Still only 24.

I am not saying you rush into a deal. I am saying you explore, see what the cost is and if it's too high then you wait. Hughes can afford to wait, Cheveldayoff can't wait too long or he will be disappointed. I don't think there is any way he gets a Horvat type return if he waits until the trade deadline next year as the Islanders knew they would have a chance to resign him. If teams think Dubois is going the UFA route for sure then they won't pay up the same way although at the trade deadline we have seen teams do stupid things. It's always hard to predict the following season. You never know when things comes together for a bunch of young guys. The Devils had 63 points last year.

A really good week would be losing to Buffalo and Philly and then beating Florida. Watch the Habs do the reverse.

I agree or he might just get tired of waiting for the Habs to trade for him. It's not often you get a big 24 year old stud centre, who is also French Canadian (not the reason you trade for him but it is a bonus) saying (not outwardly anyway) that he wants to play for you. It is definitely worth exploring but no need to give up the farm for him at this point. I have confidence that Hughes will play this out right.

There is a deal to be had here if Hughes wants to do it. The big question is when? The closer Dubois gets to UFA status the less leverage Cheveldayoff has and the more Hughes has. They both know this. You could easily wait until next year and sign him and give up nothing. However if you can make the right deal earlier it might make it easier for Hughes to plan next steps at the draft knowing your #1 and #2 center ice positions are locked up for a while. A lot to think about.

He certainly is. Phenomenal wrist shot, good size, strong skater. He has some great tools. His 25th goal was a great snipe. Development will be key here.

Agree 100%, save the big effort for Florida. I am fine if they go 1-8 in their remaining 9 games.

Yes, that pick is most likely 14-18 unless 1) they make the playoffs and win a couple rounds (small chance) 2) they miss the playoffs and win the lottery (very slim chance) Picking 20th would be almost impossible as they would have to leapfrog 3 teams in the playoffs (ie. the Kraken are 9 points ahead) Let's hope they extend the losing streak on Monday. Go Senators!! It's weird cheering for teams like the Senators and the Leafs.

There is a slim chance if Florida's misses the playoffs and wins the lottery then that pick could move up from say 14 to 4. A slim chance but still a chance.

I think we would all agree 100% that Florida losses are good. If Florida misses the playoffs then we get another lottery pick and who knows how that might go.

I see your point but Florida not making the playoffs is the most important thing and the Islanders and Pittsburgh staying ahead of them guarantees that. An Islander win in OT would have been the perfect scenario. Buffalo has been so inconsistent that I just don't see them passing Florida but you never know.

Habs need to take it easy tonight and save their big effort for the upcoming Florida game.

YES!! Rangers win. Too bad the Islanders lost, now need the Penguins to win.