Commandant

Im looking at the points more than just pure goals. Hes been an adequate 2nd C most years after his big year in vegas. He was excellent in 2023-24 and arguably with borderline 1c production that year, but of course 2024-25 was not a good year at all and would be below what 2c production would be needed. Hes left handed and adds to the defensive prowess. The deal would be cheap for a 2c but expensive if he doesnt reach that level. Acquisition cost would be low as Vegas seems to want to dump him and there are the issues you mentioned. I put him in the bucket of not a first, second or third choice, but not a terrible fall back option

William Karlsson was apparently available earlier this season and may be available in summer if Vegas wants to spend big on Marner, ekblad, bennett or make another big trade.

At the end of the day, this is a good year for Laval and good playoff experience for the prospects. Thats what is most important about any AHL season. Reinbacher, Fowler, Mailloux, Beck, Farrell, Kapanen, Engstrom, Roy, Florian, Davidson, all had moments of great play in the playoffs, as well as moments they can learn from going forward.

And this all.assumes that they would move both Horvat and Dobson with each of them costing first round pick and b level prospect. 1) im not convinced they are moving them. Their ownership is showing signs of retooling not rebuilding. 2) even if im wrong and they do rebuild i think theyd get more than what we are talking. For a rental in Nelson they got a way better prospect than anyone that was named and a pick. They arent accepting the same for an RFA relatively young Dman in Dobson. Or for Horvat who is signed longer on what with a rising cap is a team friendly deal.

Ive lost almost all.faith in Mesar. Hes a bust. Throw him into a trade package.

And this all.assumes that they would move both Horvat and Dobson with each of them costing first round pick and b level prospect. 1) im not convinced they are moving them. Their ownership is showing signs of retooling not rebuilding. 2) even if im wrong and they do rebuild i think theyd get more than the 16th or 17th pick and one prospect for each player in two seperate deals.

I'd point out that being a centre at age 22 and 23 and succeeding is far more important than you give it credit for. Maybe when he's 30 plus he moves to wing (like Giroux, Stamkos and others have done late in their career), but the number of players who have two good seasons at centre in their early 20s and get moved to wing is really small. If he was struggling then maybe, but he's not. He's excelled. Consider that the far more common path for youngsters who are natural centres is to start on the wing and then move to the middle. Not to follow his path. Other smaller players who have moved to wing are different, they struggled at C. As for Gourde and Johnson, yeah they aren't top 6 players now, but they were in their prime, and we are talking about a 23 year old here. If Rossi is a winger in his 30s, that isn't my concern as he's a long way from that. As for the numbers showing a drop off at 5'9", yes... they do that at all positions. There is a drop off amongst D at that size, wings at that size, etc..... smaller players have always been less. Doesn't mean that there aren't outliers like Rossi though. And he's NHL proven at this point.

Sure, any player can be traded and then replaced by a similar player. My point is that if you trade Matheson, you have created a hole on defence too. And its a massive one as its both a top 4 guy missing (when we arguably have only 3 in Matheson, Hutson and Guhle) as well as the fact that youve lost the leadership. The point is the moment you trade matheson for a 2c, you are still in the same situation with a core part of any team missing, only now its a top 4 d missing instead of a 2c. That said Dobson is more valuable than Matheson too. So a trade for both Horvat and Dobson would be expensive and youd have to add a lot even starting with Matheson. And if the Isles make a trade its to rebuild, so why take Matheson. And given the Isles signed Palmeiri (yes it was Lou but ownership has to sign off too), are they rebuilding cause if not, then Horvat and Dobson may not even be available.

There isnt much difference between 5'8 or 5'10. Both are undersized. And the fact is you cant trust those numbers anyway. Some teams are known to fudge the height an inch or too. Heck (and i know hes a winger) but Brad Marchand is seen as one of the epitomes of gritty playoff player and hes 5'9, so its not all about the height numbers.

To me Rossi has already proven over two NHL seasons that hes an effective centre. Yes, some small players eventually get moved to wing, but usually most who do dont do so after two effective seasons as a top 6 centre. Heck he did it on a line with a fellow short player in Zucarello and Kaprizov is 5'10. As for other smaller centres, yes... small players are rare at all positions, but height hasnt seemed to be an issue for the ones who do it. I know hes not available but who wouldnt want Brayden Point? Yanni Gourde? A team won 2 stanley cups with them as 2 of their top 3 centres recently and both are under 5'10". Tyler Johnson is another who had a good career though hes older now. Then there is Perfetti, connor bedard, and others too who have been good at smaller size. And while he was miscast as a #1 c, prime David Desharnais would be a 2nd line centre on this team. And of course there is Saku.

I don't think 16 and 17 gets the Habs high enough to draft Desnoyers.

Rossi has played centre the majority of the season and put up 60 points. Hes much younger than Necas too. Not sure how hes going down the same path of being a winger The most commonly used lines for him are Zuccarello Rossi Kaprizov And Boldy Rossi Kaprizov

Im not moving Matheson as hes the most experienced of the group and has to take on some of the leadership that will be missing with Savard already gone. As for the playing time, its doubtful to go through a full season without using 7 defencemen regularly. Injuries will happen so Im not too worried about 2 guys rotating

I agree. I'm not dumping Dach off the team, but I also think we need another plan for 2C as well. If he succeeds on line 3 and moves up the lineup, thats a good problem to have.

Ive seen enough of Gustav Lindstrom to confidently say hes not an NHL level player, even on the third pair. He was bad in detroit and attrocious with us and anaheim. Hes found his level in the AHL.

With the way the cap has risen its better to look at percentages of cap then at pure salary as all salaries will go.up when new contracts are negotiated.

Yeah lots of shot blocks isnt necessarily a good thing.

Obviously Necas is the better player but when two different organizations and coaches havent seen him as a centre (colorado needed centres and went and got Nelson and Coyle at the deadline too) it reminds me of the Galchenyuk centre debate and the Drouin centre issue, and Domi. Weve been down this road. At a certain point when multiple coaches dont see you as a centre, youre not a centre. Its the most valuable forward position. If he could do it someone would put him there.

And is Necas a centre? Seems to me hes played more wing.

Im a fan of Alex Tuch. If hes available. Im very interested Im not sure Buffalo is trading him, and I doubt they would in the division. That said if they do Id very intrigued (as would about 20 NHL teams)

With the way he played in the second half i think its doubtful hes available. If.they move a centre it is likely to be Stephenson who we discussed in the last week or so.

There needs to be an offer sheet before you can get those picks. Youd also be waiting for them instead of having a 2025 pick.

Again mind reading and definitive statements. You might think its unlikely but to say its 100% seems to be knowing what we cant possibly know.

I also wouldnt count on Darche in the top 6. Will be hard to do that and GM the Isles.