GHT120

Fabbro was third in 5-on-5 TOI for the Preds last season ... so not likely to be cheap ... although he is not a special teams fixture ... hardly any PP time (0:09/gm) and 5th amongst regular defencemen on PK (0:58).

Means nothing on the cap when he is in Laval ... and if he were to displace Montembeault on the roster (***NOT*** expecting it in the short-term) it actually saves $110K.

Fair enough ... but the eternal question of unattributed quotes is what value should be attributed to the opinion of an unnamed, supposed "NHL executive".

A modern-day (albeit likely AHL level) Rick Chartraw? One can only hope ... Rick got 420 games over 10 seasons.

The unknown is what does Caufield think is a the fair number ... THUS FAR, CC's G/82Gms are higher 28.75 versus TS's 17.86 ... although TS' point production is slightly higher ... 54 vs 51

Fortunately, in salary cap terms, I believe that would be totally distinct from eligibility for LTIR.

Parker-Jones is a curious invite ... 22 yrs-old ... undrafted ... missed his OA year thanks to Covid ... has played one season of CIS hockey (I refuse to call it USports) ... doing his agent a favour? Riley Mercer is at least an 18 yr-old who could potentially bloom.

I tend to agree ... after missing 49 games last season Byron returned for 26 games ... sat out one game out (due to "wear and tear of the season" ???) but then dressed for a game because the team was short of forwards and lasted only one period ... he then missed the final 5 games.

Likely none of the young PMD will have produced much, otherwise their teams wouldn't be open to moving them ... at least not for a "price" HuGo would want to pay ... for 22/23 a reasonably-priced veteran might be a safer bet, but they also need to look at the long-term on the right-side.

I am thinking that until Price fails his physical he is only presumed to go on LTIR which OBVIOUSLY has a significant impact on available cap space ... but I believe the Habs will want to be as close to the cap ceiling (excluding Price's AAV) when the season starts in order to maximize the cap "benefit" of Price being on LTIR. It will also be interesting to see whether Paul Byron will be able to play ... he missed 55 games last season, including the final 5 (and only played 4:41 in that 6th to last game) ... when he left that game he went straight to the locker room:

Branch Rickey is famous for having said "Trade a player a year too early rather than a year too late." It is usually interpreted as relating to veteran players (i.e., trading them while still productive and before their game declines) but it is equally applicable to prospects. I have seen glimpses of potential in Ylonen but glimpses scare the heck out me ... from time to time we see glimpses of what Armia COULD be, but know he is unlikely to ever become that player ... come 23/24 there will be other prospects who are now in the CHL/NCAA/overseas-leagues that will be looking for a spot with the Habs and/or in Laval ... I would have no issue with moving Ylonen.

Since his name comes up periodically ... Filosa is a host/journalist on sports radio 98.5 in Montreal

Not certain what other player under NHL contract would get the trade done, and don't know that HuGo want to use up another NHL contract slot.

If HuGo feel that Lundkvist is a legit top 4 defence prospect then losing Myšák would not bother me in the least.

I understood ... I buy lottery tickets so dreaming is common for me.

More importantly, Gallagher is owed WAAYYY too much money for him to retire ($43 million in real world dollars).

This is not "good" enough to call a rumour ... Quebec's Eklund reports "APPARENTLY" Derick Brassard has contacted Montréal and Ottawa about a PTO ... Not as crazy as it sounds on the surface ... clearly not part of the rebuild ... but as a POSSIBLE 12/13th forward (depending who gets moved out) he could be a good veteran presence, especially for the young centres, for this coming season ... last season his Pts/Gm were just below Gallagher and just above Jake Evans.

Depends what HuGo are looking for ... the waiver wire guys are likely "bodies" for this season and maybe 6/7 Ds on very reasonable contracts going forward ... Lunqvist would be an investment in the rebuild.

First I've seen from any credible, or even semi-credible, source about Dach's contract ... seems a tad higher than I expected but the habs get certainty for four years.

*** IF *** If those are the seven defencemen I wouldn't waste Matheson with Wideman ... I would pair Matheson with Barron ... they likely should go with a veteran first pairing ... Savard would pair with Edmundson ... NOT a great, or even a legit, top pairing but at least it would avoid (for the most part) throwing rookies in against the other teams' best players ... that leaves Wideman with Guhle ... the option would be for Edmundson to pair with Matheson (with whichever is most comfortable doing so playing their "off" side) but that complicates the other two pairings. And, IMO, no way they should have 3 rookies on the roster, forcing one to sit out every game ... based on the current roster, I would have Schueneman as the 7D.

I don't see anything long-term ... and much depends on what contracts HuGo are able to move out ... once Caufield signs an extension, the Habs would already have 10 forwards under contract for 23/24 ... eleven counting Dach ... and who knows how Monahan and Dadonov play/fit-in ... ***IF*** the latter two don't earn being extended, or re-signed after being traded, and 3-4 others are moved out (e.g., Hoffman, Armia, Dvorak or Anderson, Gallagher [in my dreams]) then a reasonable short-term deal after a good season by Drouin ***might*** make sense.

Per CapFriendly: Contracts: 44/50

Guess they did not want to tie up an NHL contract slot but see some utility and possibly even potential for the future ... sadly for him, I assume on a one-way AHL deal he cannot be sent to beautiful Trois Rivieres (my home town). Rocket agree to terms on a one-year, one-way AHL contract with Brett Stapley – Rocket Laval