tomh009

That’s a fair point. I would personally still hesitate... but that may be just me.

The only ones whose value will definitely drop after the deadline are the pending UFAs: Kovalchuk, Scandella, Thompson, Weise and Folin. (I don't expect Kinkaid and Peca can drop much further.)

It's true that they would want some value. But that value drops quickly as the player's ice time and production drop, and he starts getting scratched. He might yet get back to where he was two years ago -- or he might not. So there is a significant risk for anyone making a deal with the Flyers. Armia is 27th in the NHL for RW scoring (Gallagher is 14th) so he would be first-line material on many teams. Are we willing to risk giving that up in the hopes that Gostisbehere's 2017-2018 career year was not a fluke? Packaging a less player with a prospect or a pick could be an option maybe?

Hudon-Kotkaniemi-Poehling for the top line?

That's a steep price when Armia is going from strength to strength, and Gostisbehere has been on a downward slide for the past few seasons.

We signed an aging forward who was consistently getting scratched in LA. He's done all right so far, I think. So just because a player is getting scratched doesn't mean he is a writeoff.

Hudon-Kotkaniemi-Poehling would be ideal, I think. I would like to see Kotkaniemi and Poehling develop some chemistry together and be able to claim a solid place in the Habs' lineup for next season.

This. He is clearly very functional in English but that doesn’t mean that he is aware of all the nuances implied by the words he used.

And re-reading my post ... I meant to say that the proposals were due today!

Personally, I think he may be the best-dressed GM in the NHL.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer: Paging Nate Thompson, paging Nate Thompson ...

The proposals for the use of the Colisée are due to, and UQTR and Dean McDonald are expected to submit. Both the mayor and the city councilors appear to support a shared-use arrangement between the two teams. The city staff will now study the proposals before bringing their recommendation to the council. Highly unlikely that there would be an ECHL team in the Colisée before the 2021-2022 season, though.

It could well be, yes. I would like to try to sign him, but if he's not interested, I'm sure we'll find someone willing to take him in exchange for for some draft picks.

Evans also called up. Happy to see that Kotkaniemi is getting at least some additional AHL time.

Kovalchuk says he is happy in Montreal but is non-committal for now. "I’m pretty sure we’ll have discussions with the GM and my agent will talk to them so we’ll see whats going to happen but like I said a lot of times I love everything here. We have a special group here so it will be fun to stay." https://www.tsn.ca/ilya-kovalchuk-on-future-in-montreal-we-ll-see-1.1438678

Poehling was already playing with the flu vs NJ.

Hopefully not soon. Now that he's in Laval, I hope he gets to stay for a while and work on his game -- and confidence.

5-4 OT win with a goal from Ouellet, assisted by Hudon. Ouellet 1g + 3a Hudon 2g + 1a Kotkaniemi 0g + 3a Evans 2g + 0a McCarron 31/35 (0.886)

3-3 after the second; Evans scored a SHG from Alzner and Brook. Of the six goals so far, there are four PPG and one SHG.

And a repeat of the same near the of the period to give Laval a 2-1 lead after the first.

A early 1-0 lead after another Hudon PPG (and another Kotkaniemi assist).

Primeau is back in Laval, but McNiven is starting tonight.

Lindgren! Well, I never ...

While we should have won in regulation, I have to say that I enjoyed watching that OT.

There were players Folin down all over the front of the net, not much that could have been done about that.