actual expectations

I'd maybe consider taking Tanner Pearson for no return if Montreal retains 50%. Maybe a conditional 5th or something if Pearson plays in 10+ games or so down the stretch.

These all seem right to me. Probably what Evans would get but Habs might as well hold on to him for that price. Maybe with retention Savard could get a 1st instead of two 2nds.



The one issue with that is MTL only has one retention slot left, and there is probably a way to get more value out of that than a 5th round pick, otherwise I'd say deal. I also wouldn't recommend, Pearson isn't the player he was. He's one of MTL's worst this year so that says a lot.

Devils pass on Allen, buy Jake Evans for a 3rd instead

The Dillon trade is not comparable to Savard. Dillon was 30 and had 3 more years under contract, Savard is 33 and a pending UFA. TDL trades and off-season trades are also in a different context. I'm not trying to drive the price down, but let's be realistic here.

Worst case scenario is he watches from the press box and the Kings don't give up anything. With their LTIR situation, his cap hit isn't going to matter and it just gives them a veteran depth option with playoff experience.