Permanent Rumour Thread

[TurdBurglar]

36 minutes ago, DON said:

2C found.

Canadiens Management Make First Key Decision Involving Newcomer Zachary Bolduc

 

"This doesn't necessarily mean that Canadiens management intends to turn Zachary Bolduc into a centerman, or at least to move him back to center for the first time in a long while."

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

3 hours ago, WildTurkeyXX said:

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. 

 

Agree 100%

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

3 hours ago, WildTurkeyXX said:

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. 

 

Good post.

 

The thing is, with MM we probably have one of the league’s better (maybe one of its best) defence corps.  Subtract him, and suddenly that advantage goes away for just the reason you state.

 

So, yeah. Trade him for that C if the unicorn appears. Other than that, well, lean into our competitive advantage at D.

[Commandant]

3 hours ago, WildTurkeyXX said:

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. 

 

I agree with this.  If we get a 2C then Matheson can go.  Otherwise Im holding him.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

🧐

 

Third line centre? 🤷‍♂️

[DON]

35 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

 

Third line centre? 🤷‍♂️

In Laval.

[Commandant]

35 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

🧐

 

Third line centre? 🤷‍♂️

 

Or 4th or Laval, given his contract is 900k

[GHT120]

45 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

🧐

 

Third line centre? 🤷‍♂️

 

Maybe ... IF he has a tremendous camp and EARNS it ... it is also possible I won last night's' LottoMax (haven't checked my tickets yet)

[REV-G]

This likely has already been discussed in some thread on this site but out of all the players discussed regarding our 2C need, I like Mason McTavish the best. 

 

He young, great potential, and from what I've read is unhappy in Anaheim. 

 

I'm assuming it's a given that he'd be a good fit...what do you think it would cost us in a trade to get him? Would a one off of Mike Matheson do it? Or MM plus......?

 

I personally really like Mike Matheson and I'd prefer to keep him but I think our 2C need with Demidov here now would be worth paying a reasonable to even a bit high price to get Mason McTavish from Anaheim! It would be MM for MM!!  

 

Thoughts??

 

 

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

3 minutes ago, REV-G said:

This likely has already been discussed in some thread on this site but out of all the players discussed regarding our 2C need, I like Mason McTavish the best. 

 

He young, great potential, and from what I've read is unhappy in Anaheim. 

 

I'm assuming it's a given that he'd be a good fit...what do you think it would cost us in a trade to get him? Would a one off of Mike Matheson do it? Or MM plus......?

 

I personally really like Mike Matheson and I'd prefer to keep him but I think our 2C need with Demidov here now would be worth paying a reasonable to even a bit high price to get Mason McTavish from Anaheim! It would be MM for MM!!  

 

Thoughts??

 

 

 

It would take Matheson plus for sure.   

[Commandant]

It would take Matheson plus a lot.  or Guhle plus a lot. 

 

This is a third overall pick, a centre with size, who was 2nd on his team in scoring last year.  

 

He's not cheap. 

[REV-G]

Any thoughts on why it's been reported that he's unhappy in Anaheim. I understand that they've drafted a few other good players but you'd think he'd kind of be near the top of their list in terms of importantance and priority and assets. 

 

Any reasons why there's talk of him wanting a change of scenery? I read one report that he's tired of losing. 

 

 

[REV-G]

Would he not be worth a considerable overpay?? We'd be set for years! 

[GHT120]

14 minutes ago, REV-G said:

Would he not be worth a considerable overpay?? We'd be set for years! 

 

ASSUMING he signs for at least 5-years

[dlbalr]

6 hours ago, REV-G said:

Any thoughts on why it's been reported that he's unhappy in Anaheim. I understand that they've drafted a few other good players but you'd think he'd kind of be near the top of their list in terms of importantance and priority and assets. 

 

Any reasons why there's talk of him wanting a change of scenery? I read one report that he's tired of losing. 

 

I've seen some stuff that says the talk of him being unhappy is entirely overblown.  He wants a long-term deal, Anaheim's GM believes in mandatory bridge contracts.  So he might be unhappy about that but not so much unhappy about being with the Ducks.

[Commandant]

One thing I have seen that surprised me today is that both Jeff Marek and Frank Seravalli are putting him out there as a trade candidate. 

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

12 minutes ago, Commandant said:

One thing I have seen that surprised me today is that both Jeff Marek and Frank Seravalli are putting him out there as a trade candidate. 

 

Perhaps but maybe they are running out of things to talk about. It's the quiet season for those guys. 

[Commandant]

Here is the Seravalli report

 

 

[Commandant]

 

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

9 hours ago, Commandant said:

 

 

What do you think the ceiling is for McTavish? His best year is 52 points in 3 seasons admittedly on not a great team. Is he a 60 point guy or could he be a 70-80 point guy?  I just don't see Anaheim trading him until they have a better idea of what his ceiling is. 

[Commandant]

Hes 22 years old.  Yes hes played three seasons but did it at 19, 20, 21.

 

He was a third overall pick.

 

His 52 points were 2nd on the team in scoring.  While playing on the second line.

 

Whats his ceiling? Could be an 80-90 point guy?  Will he hit that ceiling? Thats a different conversation but i think being a 70 point guy is realistic in his prime on a higher scoring team.

 

And yes Ive always thought a trade is unlikely this summer.

[revvvrob]

I’m reading about Nazim Kadri waiving his NTC to come to the Habs. Is that just clickbait? If so - what might the ask be or do the Habs even want him?

[Commandant]

1 minute ago, revvvrob said:

I’m reading about Nazim Kadri waiving his NTC to come to the Habs. Is that just clickbait? If so - what might the ask be or do the Habs even want him?

 

1)the source is Kypreos so grain of salt. Also he hasn't waived anything, the report is that he would potentially be willing to waive if traded.  there is nothing to waive until a trade is agreed.

 

2)I think if we look at the Habs moves this offseason, specifically around Cs, they have shown little to no interest in centres who are in their 30s.  I'm just guessing based on what we've seen, that the Habs wouldn't be looking at him.  they seem to want their acquisitions to fit the age of the current core.

[tomh009]

3 hours ago, Commandant said:

 they seem to want their acquisitions to fit the age of the current core.

Which makes perfect sense given that they are looking to create a longer window of contention in the future.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

On 7/16/2025 at 9:29 AM, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

 

It would take Matheson plus for sure.   

 

While admittedly, these are the dog days of summer and sports radio is desperate for things to talk about, I keep hearing McTavish's name brought up in Vancouver discussions of possible C options. I'm no expert on McTavish, but the guy is a 22-year-old 50-point C with good size and upside. If he is in play, we absolutely should be using MM as a core piece going back, and should be making sure we're doing all we can to tantalize Anaheim without compromising our young core.

 

Adding him would bring us to the next level, surely.