All in

MTL would just keep the better, cheaper option honestly. Not opposed to the deal but a conditional '26 3rd just really doesn't give us a reason to take the extra salary.

Don't want to downplay the Evans move, but I don't see why Habs would get rid of a player that was developed inhouse at half the price of Faksa for a 3rd round pick. I'm not saying the trade isn't fair, I'm just not seeing why the Habs would take on extra Cap without asking for more than a 3rd.

Hugues isn't the type to go for this type of trade, he'd be asking for their 1st EVEN IF Evans isn't worth that pick. Wanna be clear here, Evans IS NOT WORTH a 1st pick plus a player, but given that the Habs don't need Faksa then I don't see that type of trade even being considered. I think this is more of an Arizona move where they just want to fill in their picks and have a collection of them for the next 5 years.. LOL!

Faksa for Brandon Tanev they dont lose Physicality in the exchange and get a better competitor
DAL has multiple Centers stuffed on Wing due to lack of Wingers
I dont see how a Center for Center exchange helped them or makes them better in any way at all whatsoever.
It'd be like MTL trading Jake Allen for Antti Raanta and paying to do it
I love Jake but he cant provide the consistency Faksa can as a Bottom 6 Bulk Faceoffs Grit Checking Power Center.
He's got his own niche role but for a team as Physical as DAL he makes no sense at all , he'd get hurt in a Practice there.

Evans in SEA however makes a ton of sense as there's lots of opportunity for him to play in that middle 6 role.
Jake's strength like Paul Byron is he can hang in there on any line during injuries for an extended period.
But he's most productive on 3rd line playing a defensive checking role and while he thrives at Center he's better offensively on the Wing as he can open up and use his Speed.

3 way Trade

B.Tanev to DAL
J.Evans to SEA with DAL 3rd round pick
Faksa to MTL with a DAL 5th round pick

MTL looks like it loses but a Bulk Faceoffs 4th liner is exactly what we need.
Fact that he's Czech should mean he and Arber will work closely together
Arber and his Family are very openly passionate about their Czech Heritage so Arber playing with a long tenured Czech Native should be good times.
Really though Evans is just kinda in the way with Dach's return next year Evans would be pushed back down to 4th i feel he's at a point where on a team like SEA he could lock down a 2b type role especially if Tatar re-signs as those 2 played a lot together when Danault took the slapshot to the face.

For DAL i think B.Tanev and his Brother bring Grit without Penalties ever 5 minutes, they play good Defensive Hockey but arent limited to that role and they dont have high Turnover rate and a great recovery rate ration by comparison. Its a lot of areas that would help Tighten up a Stack DAL roster

agreed.

why not just keep one of the only players we have that we ouserlves drafted and developped. for some older guy on a worse contract?

need a 2nd at the very least

Vatrano is going to cost a lot with retention. That's not a lot offered.