One back one gone

Caps decline. Need significant compensation to take on an extra year of Armia's deal.

buyout next year on armia is peanuts, it won't take significant comp for that tbh

Why would the caps do that? They can just wait out this year of Mantha's contract and have NO cap hit next year, nor for the year after if you're buying him out. This trade only benefits the Habs. They get the better player on shorter term and the caps don't need the instant cap relief.

saying either of these players is better is out of touch with reality

Texier is unmovable for non-hockey reasons.