DON

You would need to offer alot for a 25 yr old 6'3" winger who just had a 80 point season.

I didnt know his defense sucked. Evaluating Mikael Granlund’s potential fit with Canadiens One that appears to be a good fit for a club hoping to improve is Mikael Granlund. The 33-year-old centreman had two productive seasons with the noncompetitive San Jose Sharks before being traded to the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline. He followed up a 60-point season in 2023-24 with a 66-point year (in 83 games played), and contributed 10 points (5G, 5A) during the Stars’ post-season run.

Would wings, pens, sharks have a top six forward they would part with for a Matheson, or maybe Mailloux-package? Detroit Red Wings Top-four defenseman The Red Wings have two young defense pillars in Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson, but could really use another veteran in the top four to insulate them. Last year, Ben Chiarot and youngster Albert Johansson did that job most nights. While Detroit can likely get away with running it back on one of those two pairings, they should really push to upgrade at least one of those two spots. — Max Bultman Pittsburgh Penguins Defensemen The addition of Connor Clifton helps the Penguins’ depth, but still, the left side very much remains a problem for the defense corps moving forward. — Josh Yohe San Jose Sharks Major upgrades for the defense Here is what GM Mike Grier recently said on the team’s needs: “You watched the games, right? We got a lot of work to do up here.” Yeah, the Sharks can use more help everywhere. No place more so than the blue line and Grier knows he’s got to start improving it. There is plenty of money to spend. He’ll also scour the market for a goalie to pair with talented but young Yaroslav Askarov. — Eric Stephens What’s every NHL team’s biggest need ahead of 2025 free agency? - The Athletic

Couple writers thank Patrick Roy for pushing him out. Couple question the overall timing of adding him. Writers Weigh In: Discussing the Dobson Deal – HabsWorld.net

Just not be St Louis's 1st choice for PK pair, he only played 0:13/game short handed. But, am sure he would be awesome at that as well but just hasnt played it yet. And maybe not want him blocking pucks like a Savard though.

Might they plan on trading Matheson at trade deadline, likely be good return as a rental. But, unlikely to happen if Habs are in playoff hunt and he would simply walk after the cup win.

But Mailloux obviously isnt near the value Matheson might be in a deal for a centre and is getting crowded on left-side if Hutson's icetime increases from 22:44/game and Guhle up from 21:11? And if they want to play Mailloux or Reinbacher in October, Hutson would need to play left-side, it would seem anyways.

No suggestion, a question.

Hughes has said he dosent want to get into bidding war and overpay for UFA. So assume would prefer to just deal assets for an upgrade in a hockey deal instead.

Does being french & keeping local media at bay, have anything to do with this pick?

Guhle, Carrier, Struble and Reinbacher are defensive d-men. Just 3 or very young works in progress yet and its experience & St Louis's confidence are couple things Matheson does have going for him.

Keeping Hutson on the right-side? Not my preference, Guhle & Hutson seem like LH top-4 guys and if can convert Matheson into a 2C, seems would be another off-season HR for Hughes.

Yup, just seems like such a perfect fit at a reasonable cost. Just one roster hole or weakness at 2C left to fill and keep hearing Hughes has been working the phones hard for weeks to find another player that would help. What will happen in free agency who knows; but maybe will open up a hockey-trade for Hughes this coming week.

eotp take; Round 7, pick #209 – Maxon Vig, LD Grade: C+ Agree or disagree with the C+, I refuse to make a big deal out of any decision they make with a seventh-round pick. I’ve never seen the kid play, but he’s an over-ager at 19 years old, and he’s 6’2″ and 212 pounds. He’s a big defenceman in a draft year where everybody was taking big defencemen. He’s also another NCAA commit, so there’s plenty of runway for him to develop his game and try to become the next Jake Evans, but on the blue line.

Zharovsky said has known Demidov since was 8yr old. They are working on his visa so he can make development camp this week. 69th pick Paupanekis pick seems well liked. Day 2 of the 2025 Draft – HabsWorld.net Elite Prospects: A defensively sound centre with details, pace, and physicality, Paupanekis often negates the opposition’s best players. He ties up sticks proactively, kills plays on the backcheck, and excels at supporting and winning battles down low. Add in physicality and flashes of meanness, and it’s clear he has the potential to be a special role player in the NHL. Grading the 2025 Montreal Canadiens draft class Round 4, pick #113 – L.J. Mooney Grade: A+ Now this is an upside swing for the fences on a player that probably deserved to be drafted much higher. Loads of skill, blazing speed, but a frame that will make his path to the NHL much harder than that of his peers. I know some folks won’t like the A+ grade because of his size, but if this kid hits his ceiling, he has top-six potential at the absurdly low cost of the 113th pick. They already added size earlier in the draft, and taking a swing like this in the middle rounds is exactly what I was hoping they would do. If you don’t believe me, listen to the scouts. His consensus ranking had him going at the tail end of the second round. This is potential highway robbery if things go well with his development.

Pens made alot of picks. 2025 NHL Draft Results By Team

pick #177

Picks # 177 & 189 next for Habs. Should have enough goalies.

2025 NHL Draft ranking: Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa lead Scott Wheeler’s final top 100 list - The Athletic "...I love the player. He’s got lightning-quick hands in traffic/one-on-one, quick feet, a quick release, a quick processing of the game and a unique ability to make plays. That combination of skating ability (he’s got natural acceleration and tremendous edges and can put defenders on their heels from a standstill and spin off them with ease) and skill is complemented by a willing work ethic and attention to detail defensively. He supports play well. He positions himself well off the puck. He doesn’t cheat for offense...."

He is 1st nations it seems. Large (6'5") physical centre i read. Pick #145 next for Habs, will they go overseas for this pick? Another russian?

Off the U of Minnesota in fall. Logan Cooley's cousin. Canadiens’ L.J. Mooney might be the 2025 NHL Draft’s biggest, smallest X-factor - The Athletic The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler ranks Mooney as the 38th-best prospect in this draft, calling him “one of the most talented and complete players” available. However, The Athletic’s Corey Pronman ranks Mooney as only the 102nd-best prospect in this draft. Both draft experts note his size as his obvious wart.

113, who or what kind of player will they likely grab? Another overager? A 2nd goalie?

For what? A Matheson package? Jordan Kyrou Contract, Cap Hit, Salary and Stats | Puckpedia

Will Schmidt 5'7" be a steal at pick #94? Will he be more like Xavier Simoneau or a Caufield?

He looked good in the WHL playoffs. 19yr old.