2024

PLD

Whatever trade happens involving Pierre-Luc Dubois, it's likely to involve the Habs. I haven't outlined possible returns here because they all look disappointing and adding players would mess with the roster I've got set up. I'm leaving this crucial part undecided for now.

The trades here have disassembled the roster enough already, but I'd also consider trading Connor or Morrisey for the right offer (i.e. a blow your socks off haul). I didn't move Wheeler because I believe the return for him would be fairly minimal anyways and I'd rather use our retention slots to maximize return on other guys. This leaves us a few guys to move at the deadline:

Wheeler: the other reason it could be smarter to wait on a Wheeler trade is that teams may be more willing to absorb his deal into prorated cap space. Additionally, the deadline allows for some 3 way cap brokering from teams that are already out of the race.

Nino: I really liked the addition of Nino to the team last year, but as an expiring contact on *this* team it would make the most sense to move on. Collect a future asset or 2 and call it a day.
Lowry: Yes I know, everyone loves the guy because he's big and strong and profiles as a shutdown center. And that's exactly why we should trade him. Playoff contenders pay through the nose for those types of players, and we should take advantage of that. I believe there's a team our there that would give up their 1st for Adam Lowry. All we have to do is find them.
Demelo: Demelo is a guy I'd actually like to keep. He fits really well with Morrisey and he's a solid veteran presence for the young guys to learn from. I prefer him to Dillon.

Names: I resigned him because of his success with Ehlers and Wheels. We can continue the annual hockey tradition of trading him for a 4th round pick.