Permanent Rumour Thread

[DON]

I was thinking they might want Guhle?

[Commandant]

26 minutes ago, DON said:

I was thinking they might want Guhle?

 

Then our answer should be hell no.

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

2 hours ago, Commandant said:

 

Then our answer should be hell no.

 

Agreed, Habs young and talented defense is their greatest strength, don't mess it up. 

[hab29RETIRED]

32 minutes ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

 

Agreed, Habs young and talented defense is their greatest strength, don't mess it up. 

100%

 

Hutson, Guhle, Dobson, Reinbacher are the core. Carriere is a good depth RD and while he isn't untouchable, I don't think we can afford to move him this year.

 

I'd move one or two of Matheson, Xhejac, Struble, or prospects like Engstrom  - but even than we shouldn't be moving them for another winger. We need to extend Hutson - BIG contract that will be $10M+ (I think given Dobson's contract, $10M will be the floor for Hutson on a long-term deal) and Demidov in another year.

 

If we get another expensive winger, I can't see us affording the 2C we need - even if it is Dach. If Dach does finally stay healthy and have a big year, he will be getting a big raise. If he doesn't work out, we still will need the money to spend for a 2C.

[Commandant]

I think if kyrou comes in then Laine is out, probably at 50% retained.

 

Cant see where he fits if Kyrou is here.

 

That said i dont think we get Kyrou.

[JoeLassister]

Adding Kyrou would mean rushing the rebuild.

 

It's stupid and unnecessary.  Just like when Ottawa got DeBrincat and then Chychrun.

[DON]

Likely why they traded for Bolduc and had no interest in trading the likes of a Guhle or maybe Reinbacher for Kyrou?

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

10 minutes ago, DON said:

Likely why they traded for Bolduc and had no interest in trading the likes of a Guhle or maybe Reinbacher for Kyrou?

 

That's what I think, they were willing to pay the price for Bolduc not so much for Kyrou. 

[GHT120]

2 hours ago, DON said:

Likely why they traded for Bolduc and had no interest in trading the likes of a Guhle or maybe Reinbacher for Kyrou?

 

1 hour ago, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

That's what I think, they were willing to pay the price for Bolduc not so much for Kyrou. 

 

Agreed ... but that will not stop the media which depends on rumours at this time of year, or the Internet which depends on rumours always

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

The best reason for going hot and heavy after Kyrou would be if he can play C.

 

The internet seems to frame this as one of the attributes on his bingo card - "can play C" - but his career high in FO has been 15.  So, purely a W.

 

Now he's clearly a productive player in his prime and would help this team, but I don't like any of the rumours about the return. The only thing I can think of that makes sense is MM - if we see him as redundant on a team with two elite puck-moving D ahead of him on the depth chart. I wouldn't trade either Reinbacher or Guhle for him, that is for sure.

[DON]

Why another winger, dosent even make sense, does it?

Unless are trading a d-man & also a winger to make room.

Cant see Hughes adding anything but a centre or maybe a vet d-man for depth.

Matheson 31/Carriere 28, rest are 21-25yr old.

[dlbalr]

9 hours ago, JoeLassister said:

Adding Kyrou would mean rushing the rebuild.

 

It's stupid and unnecessary.  Just like when Ottawa got DeBrincat and then Chychrun.

 

It depends on what they would move to get him.  If it's a heavy futures-based package like the Dobson deal, then yes, it could be rushing things.  But if it's more of a player-player swap (Matheson with some futures), it's not quite the same.

 

Kyrou has six years left on his deal too, something that wasn't the case with DeBrincat (four) and Chychrun (three).  In theory, if you're adding a guy for that long, it's not just for the present but for the future as well.  Honestly, I think the six years left might be what makes Montreal the most interested, getting players locked in at old-market rates before the rapid increase to the cap really drives prices up.

[IN THE HEARTS OF MEN]

I'd also add that maybe Gorton and Hughes still rate our guys better than we do as fans

 

a) Dach is still highly rated regardless of knee issue

B) they consider Newhook more of a C than a W, as his history throughout his career in all leagues suggest (including the NHL)

C) expecting Hage to jump straight into the NHL from NCAA

D) Beck and Kapanan as quality depth centers 

 

 

[DON]

1 hour ago, IN THE HEARTS OF MEN said:

I'd also add that maybe Gorton and Hughes still rate our guys better than we do as fans

 

a) Dach is still highly rated regardless of knee issue- likely still have hope their 1st big trade pans out.

B) they consider Newhook more of a C than a W, as his history throughout his career in all leagues suggest (including the NHL) - likely long term winger but right now their options are limited.

C) expecting Hage to jump straight into the NHL from NCAA - Not at #2 centre and likely get his feet wet in Laval next spring.

D) Beck and Kapanan as quality depth centers - same as fans i expect.

 

 

 

[JoeLassister]

20 hours ago, dlbalr said:

 

It depends on what they would move to get him.  If it's a heavy futures-based package like the Dobson deal, then yes, it could be rushing things.  But if it's more of a player-player swap (Matheson with some futures), it's not quite the same.

 

Kyrou has six years left on his deal too, something that wasn't the case with DeBrincat (four) and Chychrun (three).  In theory, if you're adding a guy for that long, it's not just for the present but for the future as well.  Honestly, I think the six years left might be what makes Montreal the most interested, getting players locked in at old-market rates before the rapid increase to the cap really drives prices up.

I get the argument for the players locked at old-market rates, but we went from 3 assets I was willing to trade for a real #2C  (combination of 1st picks,  Mailloux +  and Matheson +)  to only one. 

So I feel trading Matheson +  for another winger is what kinda derails (or rush) the rebuild. 

[DON]

2 hours ago, JoeLassister said:

So I feel trading Matheson +  for another winger is what kinda derails (or rush) the rebuild. 

So what do you do with Matheson?

Used to playing 25minutes/game but no longer will, he will get zero PP time anymore and his contract is running out.

So trading him at some point still makes sense, be in now, mid-season or at deadline (least preferred if in a playoff spot).

 

BUT, he is the only Hab d-man over the age of 28, so creating an even younger d-core likely not recommended.

Will be interesting and are always injuries so need depth also.

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

50 minutes ago, DON said:

So what do you do with Matheson?

Used to playing 25minutes/game but no longer will, he will get zero PP time anymore and his contract is running out.

So trading him at some point still makes sense, be in now, mid-season or at deadline (least preferred if in a playoff spot).

 

BUT, he is the only Hab d-man over the age of 28, so creating an even younger d-core likely not recommended.

Will be interesting and are always injuries so need depth also.

Yes, good post. What do you do with Matheson? If he is willing to accept a lesser roll with a bit of a hometown discount then perhaps you extend him. If not then you have to look at trading him. I am sure Matheson has had discussions with Hughes about his future. His next contract will also likely be his last chance at making good money. But if he can help get somebody to fill the 2c role then he is likely gone. 

[DON]

Matheson #s dropped, assume some must be the Hutson-factor.

23-24 82gms 25:33 62pts PP-3:41  PK-2:59

24-25 80gms 25:05 30pts PP-1:57  PK-3:28

 

Who knows, maybe he and Dobson could be a good pairing and just stick Hutson on right-side with Guhle?

[ehjay]

33 minutes ago, DON said:

Matheson #s dropped, assume some must be the Hutson-factor.

23-24 82gms 25:33 62pts PP-3:41  PK-2:59

24-25 80gms 25:05 30pts PP-1:57  PK-3:28

 

Who knows, maybe he and Dobson could be a good pairing and just stick Hutson on right-side with Guhle?

 

i can see Hutson being a Beast on the right side as long as the D breakdowns that happen dont reach to his head too far

[BCHabnut]

25 minutes ago, ehjay said:

 

i can see Hutson being a Beast on the right side as long as the D breakdowns that happen dont reach to his head too far

He's a superstar. Can't see it myself. 

[tomh009]

53 minutes ago, DON said:

Matheson #s dropped, assume some must be the Hutson-factor.

23-24 82gms 25:33 62pts PP-3:41  PK-2:59

24-25 80gms 25:05 30pts PP-1:57  PK-3:28

St-Louis got Matheson to play a more defensive role--and, yes, Hutson's arrival was one reason why, but Savard's decline and Kovacevic's departure would also have been factors.

 

Matheson talked about his new role in multiple interviews during the season.

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

On 7/10/2025 at 9:35 AM, GHT120 said:

 

 

Agreed ... but that will not stop the media which depends on rumours at this time of year, or the Internet which depends on rumours always

 

That is true. It's a quiet time of year for hockey writers, they need to find something to write about. 

[WildTurkeyXX]

Matheson is indeed a tricky read. On one hand he absolutely stands out as prime trade bait with his age, last year of his contract and his diminishing role. But on the other, were just not in a situation where subtracting him from our lineup makes sense (at least not to start the season). With Matheson still in our top 4 (I don't know how it'll all pan out, but I assume that one of Guhle or Matheson will pair with Hutson, the other with Dobson), it slots Carrier down onto the third with either one of Xhekaj or Struble. With Matheson removed (before Reinbacher or Engstrom are ready to make a jump into our top four), I assume this bumps Carrier back into the top four. Which might not be the best look if we are aiming for a step or two of progress.

 

It'll be curious to see how it all plays out, but personally, unless a Matheson trade can be used to truly address the need at Center, I would lean in favor of holding on to him. At least to start the season. 

[DON]

2C found.

Canadiens Management Make First Key Decision Involving Newcomer Zachary Bolduc

[Prime Minister Koivu]

33 minutes ago, DON said:

2C found.

Canadiens Management Make First Key Decision Involving Newcomer Zachary Bolduc

Smart move to have the left handed wingers go through intense faceoff training. 
 

Bolduc taking the faceoffs instead of Dach would be helpful - if Bolduc turns out to be good